A limited cockle fishery bed's been opened in a small area of Morecambe Bay off the South Cumbria coast, by the North Western Inshore Fisheries & Conservation Authority.
It's open near Flookburgh via Moor Lane - on days described as having "suitable tides", during daylight hours from today until the 30th of April.
Only those who already hold Byelaw 3 Permits from the authority - that's around 100 people, are allowed to fish for large old cockles using a craam.
Other fishing methods are prohibited to protect juvenile stock.
Fishing by the general public for small quantities without a permit for personal consumption is not permitted because the fishery is within the Morecambe Bay commercial area.
A craam (pictured) is a traditional Morecambe Bay tool. It is a 3 pronged short handled fork designed to pick cockles one by one from the sand without causing damage to juveniles.
Details about Byelaw 3 and the full authorisation for this fishery are on the website here.
Fishing times have been limited to reduce disturbance to breeding birds.
Access to the fishery will be only via Moor Lane, Flookburgh. Transport to the fishery must be by ATVs (quad bikes) or tractors.
No road vehicles will be permitted on the saltmarsh or shore to minimise damage to the sensitive habitats.
For more than 8 years stocks of cockles in Morecambe Bay have been too low to fish. This year there is also a stock of juveniles of less than 10mm in length which must not be fished or damaged.
Questions can be emailed to office@nw-ifca.gov.uk with the heading ‘Morecambe Bay Cockle Fishery April 2016’.