Cockle beds remain closed

While the cockle beds in the Whangateau Harbour are showing positive signs of recovery, Fisheries NZ has no plans to re-open them anytime soon.

The cockle and pipi beds were closed in 2010 after taking a massive hit from disease and parasites between January and May 2009. 

Fisheries Management director Emma Taylor says the beds won’t reopen while they are still in a recovery phase.

Since 2001, Fisheries has undertaken 11 cockle surveys, the most recent was done early last year.

“The most recent estimates of abundance and average density of cockles indicate a stable cockle population, which has been increasing, particularly since 2013-14, when the area surveyed was widened,” Taylor says.

“In addition, the three most recent surveys revealed regular recruitment events – meaning more juvenile cockles were appearing in the area, which is encouraging for the recovery. We note there are also some larger cockles of over 30mm in shell size.”

Taylor says its uncertain how much of a role climate change is playing in the overall health of cockles in the harbour, but Fisheries NZ scientists say that cockles in general would likely be vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, including ocean temperatures warming and acidification, along with increased sedimentation because of more frequent storms.

“Fisheries New Zealand fishery officers patrol the harbour and report that compliance with the 2010 closure is high and there is not a poaching problem.”

For a fuller NIWA assessment on cockles and the threats to their growth