Warning given to illegal cocklers

Cockling will be able to start again on the Solway in November

Unlicensed fishermen have been warned to stay away from the Solway Firth for the opening of the new cockle season.

A strict licensing regime aimed at limiting the number of people on the Solway's cockle beds was introduced last year.

Over-fishing in the 1990s practically emptied the Solway of the shellfish, which can be highly lucrative.

Several people fishing illegally on the Solway's sand banks had to be rescued by the coastguard last year.

Only six boats, one tractor dredger and 100 hand-gatherers will be allowed to fish for cockles during the seven-week season.

Legal and safe

However, the authorities said they were aware that other unlicensed cocklers might seek - illegally - to grab a share of the potentially rich pickings.

Last year, ill-equipped cockle pickers, often working at night and apparently oblivious to the area's treacherous tides and channels, sparked a series of emergencies.

This year, the Solway Shellfish Management Association and the coastguard, working with fisheries protection staff and police, said they would be stepping up attempts to keep the fishery both legal and safe.

Cockling had been completely banned on the Solway, off south west Scotland, for four years to allow the cockle beds to recover before the licensing system was introduced last year.