2026/2027 Cockle permit fee subsidy scheme

If you are using this scheme to provide awards of subsidy, you must inform the Subsidy Control Unit – email: scu@gov.wales.

Wales

Welsh Government 2026/27 Cockle Permit Fee Subsidy Scheme

Sections 58A and 60(1) of the Government of Wales Act 2006

The scheme aims to support permit holders by reducing the cost of the fishery permit, helping to offset the recent permit fee increase. It aims to maintain access to the fishery and encourage compliance with management regulations while minimising the financial impact on individual fishers.

The purpose of the scheme is to reduce the financial impact on permit holders, ensuring continued access to the fishery and supporting compliance with management regulations. It achieves this by subsidising a portion of the permit cost, making the permit more affordable for fishers.

Welsh Government

A subsidised permit will be issued to anyone who has satisfied all the eligibility criteria and paid the fee. The permit can then be used to access Welsh Government managed public cockle fisheries within the specified area of the Cockle Order 2024.

Agriculture, forestry and fishing

From 1 April 2026 to 31 May 2027

£52,998

All subsidy awarded under the scheme will be awarded by way of direct grants.

A subsidised permit will be issued to anyone who has accurately filled out the application form, satisfied all the eligibility criteria and paid the fee.

A person may apply for a permit if they:

• are 16 years of age or over
• hold an intertidal safety training course certificate issued within the preceding 3 year period, and
• have not been convicted within the preceding 12 month period, or the preceding 6 month period if they were under 18 at the date of their conviction, of a relevant offence.

The permit fee was calculated at £842 to recover the costs of managing the fishery. A subsidised fee of £600 was then set as reasonable, based on the following factors:

• A cockle permit provides access to valuable fisheries within the specified area. When assessed against the potential seasonal income generated, the revised fee represents a relatively small proportion of the overall economic return.
• The subsidised permit fee will ensure that an appropriate amount (71%) of associated costs of managing the fishery are recovered.

The total budget is an estimate based on the previous season permit holder figures.

£250

For more information about applying for support under this scheme, please contact fisheries@gov.wales.

For more information about this scheme’s compliance with the Subsidy Control Act 2022, please contact: