1707 days ago

Shellfish ban at Cockle Bay begins

Neighbourly.co.nz

Gathering shellfish in Auckland's Cockle Bay is no longer permitted, as a year-round ban on collection comes into force tomorrow.

Fisheries New Zealand enforced the closure after research showed a significant drop in the number of large cockle in the area.

In a statement, Fisheries New Zealand's manager inshore fisheries north, Jacob Hore, said that this ban was in place to help the population recover and will be reviewed after a period of three years.

"We use the best available science and information to determine if changes are required to management settings to ensure our fisheries remain sustainable. This information, along with feedback through public consultation, shaped our advice to the Minister for Oceans and Fisheries on his decision to implement a full year-round closure at Cockle Bay/Tuwakamana," he said.

What you need to know:

- There is a ban on gathering any intertidal shellfish including cockles, green lipped mussels, oysters, crabs, limpets, starfish, periwinkles, whelks, barnacles, and snails.
- Signs have been updated and fisheries officers will be regularly patrolling the area.
- The closure will be reviewed after three years.

Fisheries NZ is encouraging beach-goers who see any suspicious activity to report it to 0800 4 POACHER (0800 47 62 24)

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The Summer Kiwi Quiz is back by popular demand

Summer Kiwi Quiz - 2026

Grab a copy of your local Stuff newspaper between 1 Jan - 28 Jan and participate in the Summer Kiwi Quiz! Test your knowledge, answer the daily New Zealand based questions, and find out how well you know our beautiful country!

Each correct answer will get you one entry into the draw to WIN 1 of 5 Ooni Karu 2 Portable Pizza Oven bundles, valued at $1024! Each bundle includes: an Ooni Karu 2 Multi-Fuel Portable Pizza Oven, Ooni Karu 2 Carry Cover, Ooni 12" Perforated Peel, Ooni Digital Infrared Thermometer and an Ooni Cookbook: Cooking with Ooni. The more answers you enter correctly, the higher your chance of winning. For more information and to submit your answers, click here

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Do you set New Year’s resolutions?
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