This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Solway cockle fishery re-opens
17/03/2006
The Scottish side of the Solway cockle fishery today re-opened for the first time in four years to more than 100 fishermen who hold licenses.
A new management system overseen by the Solway Shellfish Management Association (SSMA) is now in place.
Fisheries Minister Ross Finnie urged fishermen to act responsibly in working with enforcement agencies in the area:
"The healthy cockle beds are an important asset for fishermen and local communities but they must be managed in a sustainable and safe manner. I believe that the Solway Regulating Order is the best way of doing this.
"There should however be no doubt that the Solway Cockle Fishery is only open to those who have obtained a licence from the SSMA. All enforcement agencies involved will work to ensure that anyone found fishing illegally is prosecuted.
"The Solway Firth Regulating Order would not be in place were it not for the efforts and support of the SSMA. I am grateful for their efforts and those of partners in Scottish Enterprise Dumfries and Galloway, Dumfries and Galloway Council, Dumfries and Galloway Constabulary and the Health and Safety Executive"
The Solway Firth Regulated Fishery (Scotland) Order 2006 (SI 2206 No 57) (the Solway Regulating Order) and the Inshore Fishing (Prohibition of Fishing for Cockles) (Scotland) Order 2006, which effectively lifted the restrictions which were in place to allow those with a Regulating Order licence to fish, came into force on 13 March.
Under the Regulating Order 100 licences have been issued to hand gatherers, six licences have been issued for vessel fishing and one tractor dredging licence has been issued on a trial basis.
In addition to discussions with licence holders, arrangements are being made for the enforcement agencies to hold a meeting with licence holders at 3pm on March 24 in the Victoria Hall in Annan.