Dee Estuary Cockle Fishery: New Regulating Order

Why Are We Looking at a New Regulating Order?

The current Dee Estuary Cockle Fishery Regulating Order expires in June 2028. Natural Resources Wales (NRW) and North Western Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority (NWIFCA) are working together to develop a replacement Order to ensure the fishery can continue to operate sustainably.

Last autumn, we asked stakeholders for their initial views on the future management of the fishery. The responses highlighted several key themes:

• Fair access to licences
• Opportunities for new entrants
• Sustainable management of cockle stocks
• Effective enforcement and compliance
• Transparency in decision making
• Protecting the cultural heritage and economic value of the fishery.

The purpose of the August 2026 engagement events is to discuss these issues further and gather detailed feedback before proposals are developed further.

It is important to note that no final decisions have been made at this stage.

What We Heard Last Time and What We Are Considering This Time

1. Licence Numbers

What We Heard

Many respondents supported maintaining a regulated fishery with a limit on licence numbers to protect cockle stocks and support sustainability. Some stakeholders felt licence numbers should remain broadly similar to historic levels, while others suggested licence numbers should be flexible and reflect stock abundance and environmental conditions. A common concern was ensuring that licence numbers remain at a level that allows fishers to earn a viable income.

Stakeholders also highlighted the importance of creating opportunities for younger people and new entrants to enter the fishery.

What We Are Considering

A future licensing system that:

• Continues to limit licence numbers to support sustainable harvesting
• Allows licence numbers to be reviewed in response to stock levels and environmental conditions
• Provides opportunities for new entrants where conditions allow
• Balances environmental sustainability with economic viability and safety

We Would Like Your Views On

• How many licences there might be and why
• What constitutes a viable fishery in terms of income and opportunity
• How opportunities for new entrants might be introduced
• How licence numbers might be balanced against available stocks

2. Licence Allocation

What We Heard

The endorsement system was one of the most frequently discussed issues in the survey. Many respondents called for greater transparency and fairness in how access to the fishery is managed. There was also significant support for developing clearer pathways for younger and new entrants.

What We Are Considering

As part of developing a new Regulating Order, we are exploring alternatives to the current endorsement arrangements, removing the option of licence holders to nominate someone else to fish on their licence in their absence.

Potential alternatives could include:

• A clearer and more transparent licence allocation process
• Time-limited, non-renewable licences
• Opportunities for young entrants to gain experience and enter the fishery
• Temporary arrangements that bring in a new licence holder when a current holder is unable to participate due to exceptional personal circumstances.

We Would Like Your Views On

• How we might decide who should get a licence
• How opportunities for new entrants might be provided
• How temporary absences from the fishery might be managed
• Whether experience, local knowledge or family involvement should be considered, and if so, how.

3. Sustainable Management

What We Heard

Stakeholders strongly supported maintaining a regulated fishery and protecting cockle stocks and the wider estuary environment. Many respondents supported adaptive management approaches that allow management measures to respond to annual stock assessments and environmental conditions.

What We Are Considering

The future Regulating Order would continue to:

• Use annual stock assessments to inform management decisions
• Apply adaptive management measures where necessary
• Protect the Dee Estuary's internationally important habitats and species
• Ensure harvesting remains sustainable over the long term.

The proposed Regulating Order would operate within a wider management framework that balances environmental, social and economic objectives.

We Would Like Your Views On

• What sustainable management looks like to you
• How management measures could be improved
• What our key priorities for the fishery’s future might be.?

4. Enforcement and Communication

What We Heard

Stakeholders recognised the importance of effective compliance monitoring and enforcement. Survey respondents highlighted the need for consistent enforcement, improved monitoring and greater transparency around fishery management decisions. Some stakeholders suggested greater use of technology to support monitoring and reporting.

What We Are Considering

The future Regulating Order would be jointly managed by NRW and NWIFCA through an agreed partnership arrangement. We are exploring opportunities to:

• Strengthen collaboration between NRW and NWIFCA
• Improve monitoring and reporting arrangements
• Maintain effective enforcement activity
• Improve communication and transparency with stakeholders.

We Would Like Your Views On

• Improvements that might be made to compliance monitoring and enforcement
• How communication and transparency might be improved
• What information you’d like to receive more regularly.

5. Licence Fees

What We Heard

Stakeholders recognised that a well-managed fishery requires investment in management, stock assessments, enforcement and administration. Respondents also highlighted the importance of ensuring charging arrangements are fair and transparent.

What We Are Considering

Under a new Regulating Order:

• The costs associated with developing and applying for the new Order would be recovered through licence fees over a defined cost recovery period
• All annual costs of managing the fishery would be recovered through licence fees

Based on current estimates, licence fees may be in the region of £3,500–£4,500 per licence per season, although this will depend on the number of licences issued and the final costs that need to be recovered. Fees are likely to increase over the proposed 30-year period of the Order in line with inflation and associated increased costs to NRW and NWIFCA in managing the fishery.

We Would Like Your Views On

• Information that would help improve your understanding of licence fees
• What principles might underpin cost recovery
• How charges might be applied fairly and transparently.

Why Your Views Matter

The autumn 2025 survey provided valuable early feedback and identified a strong shared interest in maintaining a sustainable, well-managed and economically viable fishery.

This year’s August engagement events provide an opportunity to build on that work and help shape the future management of the Dee Estuary Cockle Fishery.

Your feedback will help inform the next stage of developing the proposed Dee Estuary Cockle Fishery Regulating Order.

It is important to note that no final decisions have been made at this stage and all feedback will be carefully considered.