Temporary closure of the commercial mud cockle fishery
Wednesday 13 August, 2008
A short term, state-wide closure of the commercial mud cockle fishery will come into effect from 0600 hours on Monday 18 August 2008. The closure will remain in place until the commencement of the new quota regulations scheduled for introduction in early October.
The closure is to facilitate the orderly introduction of the new commercial fishery quota system and to protect the resource from potential overfishing.
The quota system has been developed to manage and constrain the increasing catches of mud cockles. Extensive consultation has taken place with the industry over the last two years to develop a system that will ensure the long-term sustainability of the resource.
The closure will apply to commercial licence holders only. During the closure, commercial licence holders will still be permitted to harvest mud cockles for personal bait and berley use only, but mud cockles cannot be sold.
Recreational fishers are reminded that recreationally caught fish cannot be sold at any time. The details of recreational catch limits for mud cockles are as follows;
• Minimum legal length - 3.0cm
• Minimum legal length (taken from Coffin Bay) - 3.8cm
• Daily bag limit (per person) - 300
