Cockle permit fee for 2026 to 2027

Under the provisions of The Cockle Fishing Management and Permitting (Specified Area) (Wales) Order 2024, Welsh Government may determine the permit fee for the permit period to cover the cost of administering and managing the fishery.

We are proposing the following permit fee adjustment for the 2026/27 permitting period:

• increase the permit fee to £600 representing approximately 71% recovery of estimated associated fishery management costs

This proposal means Welsh Government would meet  approximately 29% of the 2026/27 costs to provide permit holders with a transitional period to adapt to the increase. 

Welsh Government is seeking views from permit holders and other relevant stakeholders on the proposed increase to the permit fee through a two-week consultation held from 26 January to 9 February 2026.

Welsh Government set out its intention to charge a fee for cockle permits in the consultation on Cockle Fishery Management Measures 2022. Consequently, provisions for the charging of a fee were included in The Cockle Fishing Management and Permitting (Specified Area) (Wales) Order 2024. The charge reflects the cost of administering and managing the fishery, including stock assessment surveys, but excluding enforcement.

Recovering costs incurred by Welsh Government in managing the cockle fishery is in line with the principles of Managing Welsh Public Money 2016. 

In the first permit period (24/25), Welsh Government charged a cockle permit fee of £250 estimated from historic permitting and management activity. During this period officials recorded costs alongside the introduction of a new digital permitting system. 

For the 25/26 permit period, Welsh Government increased the cockle permit fee to £350 following a 2-week consultation with permit holders and industry stakeholders.

In determining the annual permit fee, we take into account expenditure arising from: 

• management of the cockle beds
• scientific surveys or environmental assessments relating to the cockle beds
• administration of permit applications
• analysis of daily catch returns, and
• any other relevant expenditure

We are proposing a permit fee of £600 in the 2026/27 permit period, increasing from £350 for the following reasons:

• outsourcing of stock assessment surveys for the South Wales area
• annual costs associated with operating the new digital permit system
• improvements to the method used to calculate staff costs

The factors outlined above result in costs that exceed the proposed £600 fee. To support permit holders, the Welsh Government will meet approximately 29% of the 2026/27 costs, allowing time for fishers to adapt to the increase.

The main increase in the costs is for scientific advice and stock assessment surveys in South Wales which are now delivered through an external contractor rather than being undertaken by Welsh Government enforcement staff. This change has released Welsh Government staff to focus on the enforcement of the fishery. North Wales stock assessment surveys are expected to be outsourced from 2026 and will be included in the assessment for 2027/27 fees.

The permit fee is set to reflect projected expenditure and uncertainties associated with permit uptake, informed by evidence from previous years. 

During the 2026/27 permitting period, the Welsh Government will continue to ensure the costs are accurately calculated and proportionate. We will be seeking increased cost recovery in 2027/28, whilst also looking to identify efficiencies and minimise costs to fishers. 

Future fees will be calculated based on demand and costs and will be adjusted accordingly.

If you wish to comment on these proposals, please email Welsh Government at fisheries@gov.wales.

Please submit your comments by 9 February 2026.

Large print, Braille and alternative language versions of this document are available on request. 

Mae’r ddogfen yma hefyd ar gael yn Gymraeg / This document is also available in Welsh.

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