Cockles: Quick Facts
Scientific name: Austrovenus stutchburyi
Other names: hinangi, huangi, huuai, huangiangi tuangi (Maori), NZ littleneck clam (USA), clam, venus-shells, coque (Canada).
Ranking: D (Amber - Concerns)
Best Fish Guide: Cockles
Ranking: D (Amber - Concerns)
Alternative choice: Best choice, no alternative
Description: A relatively short-lived but widespread shellfish species, found in soft mud to silty sand habitats in harbours and estuaries. The main commercial harvesting areas are at Whangarei, Nelson/Marlborough and the Otago Peninsula.
Ecological concerns: The impacts of mechanical harvesting and digging at Tasman and Golden Bay. Also, the past depletion of stocks in Whangarei harbour, gaps between surveys, the lack of a management plan, the uncertainty over stock size in relation to virgin biomass and BMSY in other areas. The ecological effects of removing or killing this shellfish on wading birds that feed on cockles is also of concern.
Economic value: Sold in New Zealand and exported (under $1 million in 2008) to United States and Europe (France).
Best option: Cockles collected by hand (e.g. Whangarei and Otago).
ASSESSMENT OUTPUT
Biology and risk of overfishing (score B)
Status and sustainability of fish catches (score D)
Impact of fishing method and protected, threatened and endangered species captures (score D and A)
Management and management unit (score C and C)
For a full ecological assessment click here
