Consultation on intertidal hand gathering of shellfish

Views sought on management measures to protect intertidal shellfish from unsustainable exploitation and to protect habitats and species

The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) has launched a public consultation on the development of management measures for intertidal hand-gathering of shellfish in Northern Ireland.

Intertidal hand gathering of shellfish refers to the collection of wild shellfish from the shore without the aid of mechanised equipment. In Northern Ireland this is predominantly for periwinkles but also includes cockles, native oysters and blue mussels. The activity is common and is undertaken for both personal consumption and as a commercial activity.

Intertidal hand gathering of shellfish is currently unregulated and as a result, DAERA holds limited information on the commercial scale of this fishery. DAERA has a duty to manage fishing within sustainable limits and ensure that it does not have detrimental impacts on marine protected areas (MPAs) and protected habitats and species.

The aim of the consultation is to add to the limited information held by DAERA and improve the evidence base, allowing for better informed decisions when finalising the management measures.

The consultation outlines potential management measures that are intended to protect intertidal shellfish stocks from unsustainable exploitation and to provide protection for habitats and species that could be damaged or disturbed by intertidal shellfish gathering. DAERA is also making a call for evidence to inform the socio-economic impact assessments. There is a questionnaire which seeks respondents opinions on the potential measures and requests further information based on their knowledge and experience related to shellfish gathering.

Find out more about the consultation and how to respond.

First published 13 June 2022