Solway cockling set for new ban

A ban on cockling has been imposed during the closed season

The Scottish Executive is to impose a new ban on cockling in the Solway Firth in a bid to stop illegal fishing during the summer closed season.

The restrictions will run to September when the beds will re-open under a licensing scheme operated by the Solway Shellfish Management Association.

The move comes as the SSMA waits for new powers as part of a police bill to allow it to deal with illegal cocklers.

Chairman Jock Purdie has welcomed the temporary closure order.

There have been reports of tractors and hand gatherers operating in the area, despite the legal season being closed.

'Strong powers'

Mr Purdie said he hoped the temporary order would help allow stocks in the area to recover.

"Before the new orders come in this will give us a chance to actually try and stop some of the cockling before we open the beds again in September," he said.

"It is very important because we don't know what the beds are like for next season.

"We still need these powers and really strong powers to make sure we have actually got a grip of this."