UK: Mollusc surveys in SW England

Published Apr 11, 2023

Tridge summary

In 2022, the Devon & Severn Inshore Fisheries & Conservation Authority conducted comprehensive mollusc surveys across SW England's estuaries (Taw-Torridge, Teign, and Exe) to monitor the population, biomass, and distribution of mussels and cockles. The data collected is crucial for managing the resources and understanding the ecological needs of wading birds. The reports indicate improvements in mussel bed areas and stable adult cockle densities, despite fluctuations in overall tonnage. Recreational cockle gathering and potential expansion of mussel stocks are areas of ongoing concern, leading to the need for continuous surveillance and management plans.

Disclaimer:The above summary was generated by Tridge's proprietary AI model for informational purposes.

Original content

Mollusc surveys in SW England. During 2022 Devon & Severn Inshore Fisheries & Conservation Authority officers conducted the full suite of intertidal mollusc surveys across the District. Alongside the annual mussel surveys on the Taw-Torridge estuary, mussel and cockle surveys were also undertaken on the Teign and Exe estuaries, and for the first time a cockle survey was completed on the Taw-Torridge estuary, to establish the population structure, biomass, and distribution of cockles within the estuary. Data collected from the surveys are used to build up a long-term picture of the stock status of each bed, which is used to inform future management of the resource, and for the Taw-Torridge, data is fed into a shellfish ecological requirement model provided by Natural England, which allows an estimate to be made of the ecological requirements of wading birds. THE FULL SURVEY REPORTS CAN BE READ HERE: The Exe mussels have shown an improvement in percentage cover and density since the ...

Source: Fish Focus