Coastal Foraging?? - Wirral-Wikiwirral

Hi,

Does anyone do any sort of coastal foraging round the wirral area? Specifically cockle/muscle picking??

Me and the other half went to south wales for a Coastal Foraging course, and she really enjoyed it and wanted to do it round here.. I've read online a fair bit, and there are apparently cockle beds in Thurstaston, but I only really went there when i was a kid.. so dont really know the beach..

Does anyone know anything about it? Or in fact, any sort of foraging round the wirral (blackberries not included, as they are abundant!)

Thanks

Robbie

My dad used to go cockleling in the late seventies and early eighties between Leasowe and Harrison Drive, and there was an abundance of them.
If I remember correcly, it was banned for a long time because the Mersey was so full of s**t.
You need a permit to do it now.
Also, it says it is closed for cockles at the moment but the West Kirby Mussel Bed is open.

Originally Posted by North Western Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority

BYELAW NWSFC 13A - COCKLES AND MUSSELS - MANAGEMENT OF THEFISHERY. Byelaw confirmed 29.03.96

1. The Committee, may close any cockle (Cerastoderma edule) or mussel (Mytilis edulis) bed or part of a bed for the purposes of fishery management or for controlling the rate of exploitation with regard to cockles and mussels.
2. Such closure shall be for a specified period and be undertaken only after the Joint Committee has consulted such persons or bodies appearing to them to represent local cockle or mussel fishermen, and provided the Committee has been advised by fishery scientists who appear to them to be suitably qualified, as to the need for such action.
3. No person shall, without the consent of the Committee, under the written authority in that behalf signed by the Clerk, remove, take or disturb any cockle or mussel from a bed or part of a bed of cockles or mussels which has been closed pursuant to this byelaw."

https://www.nw-ifca.gov.uk/cockle-fisheries/

No need for the asterisks Mike, youâ€™re allowed to say silt.

Originally Posted by Fidelio

No need for the asterisks Mike, youâ€™re allowed to say silt.

Hahaha!

It doesn't look good for getting a permit too soon Robbie.

"Byelaw 3 â€“ Permit to Fish for Cockles and Mussels

If you wish to join the waiting list for Byelaw 3 please send a written request to the office by e-mail to [email protected] or by post to the address at the bottom of the page. Please note only ten new permits are issued each year on a first come first served basis. Currently there is over 200 people on the waiting list."
https://www.nw-ifca.gov.uk/fishing-permit-application/

I find it hard to believe that you will be stopped from foraging for yourself.
That statement above looks like it is aimed at commercial fishing. Personally I would ignore it, but that is your choice.

Just found this on the gov.uk website.
"You donâ€™t need a licence to fish for cockles if you collect up to 5 kg per day by hand for your own consumption."
https://www.gov.uk/cockle-fishing-licence-dee-estuary-england-wales

Dee Estuary has 53 permits a year https://naturalresources.wales/abou...e-harvesting-in-the-dee-estuary/?lang=en

But as has been said, under 5kg a day is permitted foraging.