Bag limit reduced for cockles in Corner Inlet

19 December 2023

The daily recreational bag limit for cockles in Corner Inlet has been reduced to 2 litres per person to better share the resource and ensure the species remains sustainable for generations to come.

Victorian Fisheries Authority CEO Travis Dowling said Corner Inlet is a fantastic fishery shared between recreational and commercial fishers and is home to a delicious array of seafood including King George whiting, flathead, calamari, gummy shark and cockles.

“Cockles offer shore-based fishers who don’t have a boat another option to take home a fresh meal of Victorian seafood for the dinner table,” Mr Dowling said.

Reducing the bag limit for cockles was a recommendation of the Corner Inlet Fisheries Management Plan released in 2022 and received widespread support during recent public consultation.

The new lower bag limit for cockles of 2 litres, or half a litre if removed from their shells, applies only to Corner Inlet and includes McLoughlins Beach, a popular spot amongst fishers to collect the bivalve shellfish.

Elsewhere across Victoria the cockles bag limit remains at 5 litres per person, or 1 litre if removed from their shells.

Ahead of the Christmas holidays, Fisheries Officers are installing signage about the change around Corner Inlet and McLoughlins Beach to inform local and visiting fishers of the new lower bag limit.

Mr Dowling said summer is a wonderful time to enjoy the great outdoors, wet a line with family and friends, and explore Victoria’s world-class fisheries in Gippsland and beyond.

Recreational fishers are reminded that only hands and feet can be used to collect cockles and that digging implements are not permitted. A recreational fishing licence is required, unless exempt. For more information about recreational catch limits and licensing, fishers are encouraged to download the free VicFishing app or visit www.vfa.vic.gov.au/fishingguide