It’s Goolwa Cockle Season – 2024

It’s that time of year again when cockle season begins, and the good news is that the bag limit per person has increased this year.

Following a proposal from RecFish SA, the peak body representing recreational fishers, SARDI, the South Australian Research and Development Institute have advised that a 10 per cent bag limit increase was acceptable while still ensuring sustainability of stock.

That means that the bag limit per person is now 330 (up from 300) and the possession limit has increased from 1200 to 1320. The minimum size limit is still 3.5cm across the widest part of the shell.

Whether you’re collecting them for bait or your favourite recipes, you have from now until 31st of May to go collecting, and a day spent on Goolwa Beach is a fun outing for the family.

Just make sure you follow a few simple rules if driving onto the beach, to make it enjoyable and safe for all, including watching out for traffic, the beach can be as busy as a road sometimes, especially on weekends, sticking to the 40 kph speed limit and watching out for children and dogs, and measuring and counting your catch. And the biggest tip – only attempt it with a 4WD! Although the beach is usually hard sand, the entry and exit point onto the beach can get quite churned up.

Happy cockling

Glenys

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6 thoughts on “It’s Goolwa Cockle Season – 2024”

  1. I’ve never tried cockles. I know that they can be gathered right on my doorstep, on the shore of Sligo and I’ve seen people racked them by hand. From what I’ve heard, they have a very distinctive flavour. Thanks for sharing, and have a good day 🙂 Aiva xx

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    1. Thanks Aiva, we use them for bait to catch tasty fish but I have eaten them when prepared in a restaurant. We have some great places to dine near us, where they know the best way to cook them. 😊

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    1. Surprisingly it can be quite easy, especially with a few of you doing it. If you’re lucky you get onto a patch of them and you can pick up handfulls at a time. That’s why driving onto the beach is a good option because if you’re not having any luck you just move to another part of the beach, kind of like fishing. 🙂

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