Officials from the Fish Inspection of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, in collaboration with officers from the Civil Guard (Seprona), have carried out a significant operation against illegal cockle fishing in the province of Huelva. Specifically, this operation, carried out in early February, took place between the municipalities of Lepe and Isla Cristina.
During the operation, a total of 17 reports were filed. Of these, 16 include proposals for fines for fishing without the mandatory license or authorization, and in eight cases, an additional fine is proposed for obstructing the inspection process. Additionally, as a result of this operation, eight hand rakes and 4.5 kilograms of cockles were seized and returned to the sea immediately.
This intervention is part of the mechanisms to combat illegal and clandestine fishing on the beaches of Huelva that the Fish Inspection of the Agrarian and Fisheries Management Agency of Andalusia (Agapa) and the Civil Guard are carrying out in an organized manner. The ultimate goal of these operations is to combat illegal fishing and ensure compliance with regulations for the benefit of an economically and socially viable and profitable activity.
The cockle (‘Donax trunculus’) is a highly valued species in Andalusian gastronomy, especially in the municipalities where it is harvested. Its extraction significantly contributes to the development of the local economy by creating direct (shoreline fishing licenses) and indirect job opportunities. Furthermore, its commercialization in restaurants and retail establishments is also relevant.
The fishery of this species is regulated by various rules to ensure sustainable exploitation and protect its biodiversity. Measures such as a maximum amount of catch per fisherman per day, authorized hours and days for fishing activities, a minimum catch size (25 millimeters), and an annual closed season have been established. This facilitates the reproduction of the species and enables its sustainable development at levels that allow the continuity of the shellfish industry by professionals dedicated to the sustainable exploitation of this marine resource.
Control means and licenses
In recent years, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development has been reinforcing efforts to maintain continuous surveillance of shellfish activities on the Andalusian coast. From 2022 to 2023, the Regional Government invested over 1.6 million euros from the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) to acquire six vehicles (two jet skis and four boats) dedicated to fishing inspection tasks. In addition to monitoring the extraction of fishery resources, the Andalusian Government also oversees other stages of the supply chain, including transportation, product traceability, and commercialization.
Furthermore, between 2019 and 2023, the Ministry has issued calls for applications for shoreline and immersion fishing licenses that have led to a significant increase in official permits, thereby promoting sector professionalization and combating illegal practices. Specifically, generic shoreline fishing licenses have increased by 67%, from 143 to 239 authorizations, and in the case of cockle shoreline fishing, permits have multiplied by six in just two years, rising from four to 30 licenses between 2019 and 2021. Likewise, immersion fishing permits have doubled from the previous 15 licenses before 2019 to the current 30 valid permits.
In addition, these sector-specific actions are complemented by annual campaigns aimed at raising awareness among the Andalusian population about the mandatory requirement of having a professional license to engage in this artisanal and sustainable manual activity.
Support for shellfishers
Among the tools of the Andalusian Government to directly support the sector are the promotion of the Andalusian Federation of Shoreline Shellfishers and the inclusion of representatives of this activity in the Fisheries Interlocution Board of the autonomous community. Additionally, the Ministry provides advice to shellfishermen on the process of applying for the trademark ‘Coquinas de la Costa de Huelva’ or on aquaculture projects for new marine cultivation of oyster and clam.
Furthermore, the Andalusian Government manages assistance funded by the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (FEMPA) to support shellfishers during the established closed seasons for the cockle of the Gulf of Cadiz or the capture of razor clam with hydraulic dredge and towed rake. Another example of assistance benefiting shellfishers is the grants awarded to projects under the Local Participative Development Strategies of the Local Action Groups of the Fisheries Sector of Andalusia (GALPA).
Specifically, these grants facilitate the acquisition of the technical equipment needed by licensed immersion shellfish divers to engage in this activity.
