Northern Ireland has introduced seasonal protections for intertidal periwinkles. The Shellfish Gathering (Conservation) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2026, made on 6 January and in force from 6 February 2026, prohibit taking periwinkles (Littorina littorea) from the shore between 1 January and 30 April each year. The measure aims to keep a low‑impact coastal harvest compatible with healthy shores and long‑term supply.

Because the rule begins on 6 February 2026, this year’s closure runs from 6 February to 30 April. From 2027 onward, the full 1 January–30 April window will apply annually. The ban covers the intertidal zone-the area between the ordinary spring high and low water marks. Exemptions only apply to activity carried out under a permit granted by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) under section 14 of the Fisheries Act (Northern Ireland) 1966.

The timing tracks the biology. According to the Marine Life Information Network (MarLIN/BIOTIC), periwinkle breeding peaks from February to June, with estuarine populations often spawning earlier in January and egg release aligned to spring tides. The Conchological Society notes that periwinkles graze microalgae from rocks-small grazers that help keep surfaces clear for other shore life. ([biotic.marlin.ac.uk](Link

When grazers are removed in large numbers, algal films and seaweeds can build up, shifting the balance of rocky‑shore communities. MarLIN’s habitat reviews show that losing grazers such as limpets can trigger long‑lived changes in seaweed cover-evidence that careful limits on collecting grazers support healthier shores. ([marlin.ac.uk](Link

The regulation also fits into DAERA’s wider fisheries reform. The department’s programme includes a Northern Ireland Non‑Quota Shellfish Fisheries Management Plan scheduled for 2026 and a dedicated Intertidal Hand‑gathering Plan-covering periwinkles, native oysters, cockles, blue mussels and razor clams-due in 2027. ([daera-ni.gov.uk](Link

It follows groundwork laid in 2022, when DAERA ran a call for evidence on intertidal hand‑gathering that flagged limited data on commercial activity and a duty to protect marine protected areas from damage. The Northern Ireland Assembly’s Agriculture Committee considered the draft periwinkle measure in December 2025 before it was formally made in January 2026. ([daera-ni.gov.uk](Link

For coastal foragers and small traders, this is a seasonal pause rather than a shutdown. Planning menus and orders around a February–April gap can smooth income; periwinkles can return as a late‑spring special when the closure lifts in May. Restaurants can pivot to certified farmed shellfish or line‑caught fish in the meantime while keeping the story local and sustainable.

Permits remain possible. Under section 14 of the Fisheries Act, DAERA can authorise specified activity by permit; anyone operating under a permit must follow its conditions precisely and carry proof when working on the shore. Those without a permit should avoid taking periwinkles from the intertidal area during the closure and seek advice from local fisheries officers if unsure.

The science suggests the stock can respond when given a window to reproduce. MarLIN notes high fecundity, a long larval phase and generally strong recruitment potential in periwinkles-traits that make short seasonal closures effective when properly enforced. Coupled with better shoreline data under DAERA’s forthcoming management plans, this offers a practical route to stable supply and healthier shores. ([marlin.ac.uk](Link