Dorset clam and cockle fishers surveying their catch

Dorset clam and cockle fishers surveying their catch

Dorset clam and cockle fishers have been welcoming independent surveys of their trips as part of their Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification.

On behalf of the Poole Clam and Cockle Fishery Partnership Project, Emma Rance, independent consultant at Noctiluca Marine has been documenting the hauls at sea proving that no Endangered, Threatened or Protected (ETP) species are at risk of harm or harassment, in line with the requirements of the certification. 

Funded by the Ocean Stewardship Fund and working in partnership with the Poole and District Fisherman’s Association (PDFA), Dorset Wildlife Trust, Seafish, Noctiluca Marine and Southern IFCA, the Poole Clam and Cockle fishery is Dorset’s first and only certified sustainable fishery.  As well as supporting fishers to minimise interactions with ETP species within the Poole Harbour Dredge Permit fishery, this partnership project aims to increase awareness of those species and to demonstrate a model of best practice for MSC fisheries in the management of ETP interactions.