Anyone found breaking the ban is liable for a �5,000 fine

The North Western and North Wales Sea Fisheries Committee (NWNWSFC) brought in the ban for the first time this year to protect stocks from over fishing.

Scientists believe it is necessary to make the seasonal ban permanent because of the failure of a new generation of cockles to spawn.

The ban affects a stretch of coast from Cumbria down to mid-Wales.

Anyone found cockling on a closed bed will be committing a criminal offence and could be subject to a �5,000 fine, the committee has warned.

Defra approval

The permanent ban, between the months of May and August, was introduced under a new byelaw to allow stocks to grow without disturbance.

"At present stocks of cockles in Morecambe Bay are relatively low despite most of the beds having been shut for over 12 months," a spokesperson said.

"The main reason appears to be that spawning of a new generation of cockles failed in 2004 and although there was a limited spawning in 2005, the juveniles appear to have not survived the winter."

The committee said the byelaw had met with the approval of "most" fishermen in the district.