The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs has made the Shellfish Gathering (Conservation) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2026 (SR 2026 No. 1). The instrument was made on 6 January 2026 and comes into operation on 6 February 2026. It establishes a seasonal prohibition on taking periwinkles from inter‑tidal areas across Northern Ireland between 1 January and 30 April each year.
The regulation defines the inter‑tidal area as the zone between the high‑water mark of ordinary spring tides and the low‑water mark of ordinary spring tides. “Periwinkles” is defined as the species Littorina littorea, removing ambiguity about the scope of species covered by the seasonal restriction.
An explicit exemption applies for activities carried out under, and in accordance with, a permit granted under section 14 of the Fisheries Act (Northern Ireland) 1966. Section 14 allows the Department to authorise named persons for artificial propagation, scientific purposes or the improvement of a fishery, subject to permit conditions. ([legislation.gov.uk](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/apni/1966/17/body?utm_source=openai))
Given commencement on 6 February 2026, the restriction will apply from that date through 30 April for the current year; from 2027 onwards it will apply to the full 1 January to 30 April period annually. Operators should align harvesting plans and seasonal staffing with the new timetable to avoid enforcement action.
Breach of a regulation made under section 124 of the Fisheries Act (Northern Ireland) 1966 is an offence. Related provisions extend liability to the landing or sale of fish taken in contravention of such regulations, with a maximum summary fine of £1,000. ([legislation.gov.uk](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/apni/1966/17/body?utm_source=openai))
For legitimate research, restoration or fishery‑improvement work, DAERA guidance indicates applications for section 14 permits should be submitted at least 28 days before the start of operations, using the Department’s application form and notes. ([daera-ni.gov.uk](https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/articles/inland-fisheries-statutory-approvals-sections?utm_source=openai))
The move follows DAERA’s 2022 call for evidence on inter‑tidal hand‑gathering, which identified risks to protected habitats and species from unregulated activity. A dedicated Fisheries Management Plan for inter‑tidal hand‑gathering is scheduled for 2027, alongside Northern Ireland’s non‑quota shellfish and Irish Sea plans due in 2026. ([daera-ni.gov.uk](https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/consultations/intertidal-hand-gathering-shellfish-northern-ireland-call-evidence?utm_source=openai))
In practical terms, hand‑gatherers should cease periwinkle collection by 6 February unless operating under a valid section 14 permit, and buyers should verify harvest dates and authorisations for any consignments during the closed period, noting that landing or sale of illegally gathered shellfish may also constitute an offence. ([legislation.gov.uk](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/apni/1966/17/body?utm_source=openai))