2026 Wash Cockle Fishery
Update: 24th July 2026
On 17th July, officers inspected the cockle bed on the Friskney Flats within the Closed Area D. This area had been closed to protect the high-density patches of 2025 year-class juvenile cockles that were present there at the time of the spring survey. The inspection found that the 2025 year-class cockles were still present within the closed area, with measured densities of up to 2,500 cockles/m2. These were mainly within the size range of 10-12mm width.
Despite this high density, and the presence of a further spatfall among them, no evidence was seen of any ridging-out. The presence of some recently dead shells on the surface indicated there was a low rate of atypical mortality occurring, but at a lower level than had been anticipated following the recent spells of hot weather.
The patches of high-density juvenile cockles extend outside of the closed area, particularly around the south-western border of the box. Some fishermen have questioned why we are keeping the cockles within the closed box closed, when they are the same size as those we are allowing to be fished around the edges of the box. The answer to this lies in the resolution of the spring survey points which are spaced 400 yards apart, resulting in a similar resolution for the management of spatial closures. Had the survey resolution been sufficiently high around the edge of box to detect this overspill, they too would have been included within the closed area.
As in previous years, the Authority is routinely monitoring the health of the beds within the closed areas for signs of significant mortality.
Fishery Opening Information
The 2026 Wash Cockle Fishery will open at 0500hrs on Monday 15 June 2026 with a Total Allowable Catch of 4,992 tonnes.
To participate in the fishery, you must have a permit issued under the Wash Cockle and Mussel Byelaw 2021. Those eligible to apply must return a completed application form and pay the associated fee prior to being issued a permit. Application forms are available here.
Participation in the Wash cockle fishery must be in accordance with the permit conditions. The full set of permit conditions are available here.
Management proposals for the 2026 Wash Cockle Fishery have been carefully considered in the context of the responses to the consultation (held between 29 May and 11 June) and potential impacts on stakeholders. Please note – management measures include the precautionary, temporary closure of the Hunstanton bed (see below for more details).
The key considerations are summarised below, and the full outcome document is available here . The associated impact assessment is available here.
Key management measures:
- Samples taken from the Hunstanton bed have been analysed for cockle diseases and initial results have not identified the presence of the Martelia parasites which are thought to be responsible for atypical mortality found in the rest of The Wash. Further analysis is being undertaken, including additional sample collection to understand the situation further. To prevent the spread of the disease to this area, the bed is temporarily closed pending further investigation. It is anticipated that the bed will open during the course of the fishery following either the development of effective biosecurity measures or the identification of the disease as present in the area (further information is set out in Appendix 1 of the consultation outcome document).
- Industry views were broadly supportive of the proposed 2026 fishery arrangements, with most agreement on an early opening, the proposed closures, and keeping the initial operating pattern under review later in the season.
- On the opening date, views leaned toward opening on 15 June, although some fishers preferred a later start or raised concerns about short notice, tides, and whether yields would improve with more time.
- The Authority’s response is to open the fishery on 15 June 2026, reflecting the broad support expressed and the earlier industry discussions.
- On closed areas, respondents generally supported protections for juvenile cockles and other sensitive areas, while asking for monitoring and flexibility if conditions change.
- The Authority’s response is to retain the closures as proposed and monitor them through the season for die-off or other changes.
- On operating times, the main industry concern was that there may be too many open days later in the season, especially where tides are very early or late, although some wanted to maximise fishing opportunity while yields are best.
- The Authority’s response is to leave operating times unchanged for now, while keeping them under review as the season progresses.
- On other measures, the strongest industry theme was support for retaining the 2-tonne daily quota, with concern that increasing to 3 tonnes could reduce prices, increase waste, and cause greater damage to the beds.
- The Authority’s response is to keep open the option of increasing the daily quota later in the fishery if needed to help achieve uptake of the TAC, while taking account of economic impacts, fishing activity, available stock, and industry views.
- It is also important to note work to establish a Wash Forum is underway. It is intended that this small group of fishery representatives will be able to provide information and views from wider industry to inform management measures during the season. This will be of particular benefit to further considerations on the operating times later in the season and review of the 2-tonne daily quota.
The Annual cockle survey report and Habitat Regulation Assessment which informed the development of the management measures and which was agreed with Natural England can be found at the links below:
2026 Wash Cockle Fishery Habitat Regulation Assessment
Participation in the Wash cockle fishery must be in accordance with the permit conditions and the Code of Best Practice.