The cockle fishery on the Dee Estuary is regulated by the Agency and the fishery is currently closed until July 2006 at the earliest. A large team of Officers from the Agency was deployed to intercept people attempting to gather cockles and turn them away before any offences were committed.

No offences were detected, however a number of people were spoken to, to make sure they understood the regulations protecting the cockles.

This operation was conducted with the full support of North Wales Police, who provided officers and air support. This excellent level of support ensured the operation was a success.

Alan Winstone, an Agency Environment Manager said: ' This was a highly successful operation which achieved its objective of safeguarding the cockles to ensure good cockle numbers in future years and to provide food for birds this winter. Anyone who attempts to gather cockles illegally is threatening the long-term viability of the fishery and is putting their own lives at risk by being out on the estuary in the dark. We will continue to work with North Wales Police and other agencies to ensure that this valuable fishery is protected.'