Last updated: 18 January, 2026 @ 11:01
The Thames Estuary Cockle Fishery is celebrating after being recertified by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) for its outstanding sustainability practices.
The carefully controlled and monitored fishery operates out of three ports across the Thames Estuary – Leigh-on-Sea in Essex, and Whitstable and Queenborough in Kent.
The fishery has been re-certified to the Marine Stewardship Council’s rigorous standard for sustainable fishing, demonstrating its sustainability credentials for cockle lovers in the UK and abroad, and that it is aligned with global best practice.
The accolade highlights a remarkable turnaround for the fishery, which was close to collapse in the 1980s, but was first certified as sustainable in 2019.
‘A beacon of sustainable fishing’
The blue MSC ecolabel is the world’s most recognised mark for sustainable seafood.
The organisation’s Alex Holdgate, MSC Fisheries Manager, said: “Thames Cockle is an outstanding example of a traditional fishery operating in a modern, forward-looking way, sustaining a thriving business in the Thames Estuary while also ensuring they protect this area of outstanding beauty and environmental importance that’s home to many wildlife species.
“The Thames Estuary Cockle Fishery continues to be a beacon of sustainable fishing and one the fishermen there can be proud of.”
‘A beacon of sustainable fishing’
There are 14 licensed vessels who form the MSC certificate, which is managed by the Leigh Port Partnership.
Limiting the catch to specific months of the year and only harvesting cockles of a minimum size ensures that the shellfish have time to reach maturity and reproduce, a key part of fishing sustainably.
The Thames Estuary Cockle Fishery also factors in the needs of estuary wildlife such as wading birds that overwinter on the tidal banks where the cockles are found, catching a third, leaving a third for the local seabird population, and leaving a third to help with stock health for the following season.
Licensed cockle fishing boats
Andrew Rattley, Leigh Port Partnership spokesperson, said: “The Leigh Port Partnership, along with the licensed cockle fishing boats of the Thames regulated cockle fishery, are looking forward to a fantastic start of the cockle season having gained the MSC stamp of sustainability again.
“Our commitment to only cockle in this way for the last 50 or so years, taking limited catches, has certainly been rewarded and allows us to continue our committed sustainable path for the future years and generations to continue.”
The fishery is the third cockle fishery to achieve the sustainability accolade, along with Poole Harbour and the Dee and Burry Estuary fisheries in the UK.
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