2026 Wash Cockle Fishery: TAC Increased by 10%
Eastern IFCA has agreed to increase the Total Allowable Catch (TAC) for the 2026 Wash cockle fishery by 10% (499 tonnes) following consideration of evidence relating to higher than usual levels of shell and other non-cockle material being landed during the season.
The TAC and wider management of the fishery are based on the amount of cockle biomass that can be sustainably removed while protecting the fishery and the conservation objectives of The Wash Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). However, uptake of the TAC is monitored using reported landings. This means that where landings contain significant amounts of shell and other waste material, the recorded uptake of the TAC may be higher than the quantity of cockle biomass actually removed from the fishery.
In considering this matter, the Authority reviewed the available evidence, assessed the potential implications for stock sustainability and completed a Habitats Regulations screening assessment. That assessment concluded that there is no possible pathway for significant adverse effects on The Wash MPAs as a result of the TAC extension. The Authority has therefore concluded that the increase presents a negligible risk to both the cockle stock and the protected features of The Wash.
The Authority also recognises concerns raised by some members of industry that higher wastage rates may, in part, be attributable to ineffective sorting practices. Fishermen are expected to sort catches effectively and comply with existing requirements relating to the handling of unwanted catch. During development of management measures for the 2027 Wash cockle fishery, Eastern IFCA will consider whether further measures are needed to ensure catch is being sorted effectively and to improve confidence in wastage reporting.
To support the effective sorting of catch, the Authority has is also considering revision to the November operating times. This will see the removal of three fishing days that would have required a significant proportion of fishing activity to take place during hours of darkness. Industry feedback indicated that sorting catch and identifying small cockles and brood is more difficult in these conditions, particularly given the reported abundance of shell on the grounds. The Authority considers that concentrating fishing activity during daylight hours will help fishermen meet expectations around catch sorting and reduce the risk of unwanted material being retained or landed. The revised operating times, which are subject to confirmation, do not reduce the overall opportunity to catch the extended TAC and are intended to support responsible fishing practices during the remainder of the season.
Please note that the extension to the TAC also means that the fishery will not close on Wednesday 28 October as previously advised. The fishery is still closed on Sunday 25 October. Proposed revised operating times are available at the link below and we will confirm as soon as possible whether the revision will come into effect.
This decision has been made in the specific circumstances of the 2026 season. In addition to the reported increase in wastage rates, the Authority considered the wider economic pressures facing fishing businesses, including poor shrimp fishing returns and sustained high fuel costs. The extension is intended to provide limited additional opportunity for businesses during an unusually challenging year.
The TAC extension should not be interpreted as acceptance of poor sorting practices, nor as justification for increased levels of shell, undersized cockles or brood being landed. In addition this decision does not establish a precedent for future fisheries and should not be seen as such. Any future consideration of TAC adjustments will be assessed on its own merits, taking account of the evidence available at the time and the Authority’s statutory duties to ensure sustainable fisheries and protect the marine environment.
For the 2026 fishery, the revised TAC is 5,491 tonnes.