Hand gathering shellfish

Overview

We are running this consultation in conjunction with our fisheries management plan to find out where hand fishing of shellfish takes place in the area. The shellfish industry is an important contributor to the UK economy and is worth over £250 million annually. Shellfish farming, particularly of mussels and oysters, accounts for a large part of the industry (source). By understanding where different species of shellfish are most often caught, along with an estimation of how much is caught at each site, we can understand the socio-economic impact of hand gathering shellfish, and manage future shellfishing in a way that will prevent the exploitation of vulnerable species.

Click on the link below to let us know about where you fish for shellfish.