Northern Ireland has introduced the Shellfish Gathering (Conservation) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2026, establishing a closed season for periwinkles each year from 1 January to 30 April. The instrument was made on 6 January 2026 and comes into operation on 6 February 2026. Limited exemptions apply for activity carried out under a Department permit issued pursuant to section 14 of the Fisheries Act (Northern Ireland) 1966, which must be followed precisely. ([legislation.gov.uk](Link

The timing lines up with the science. A DAERA‑commissioned study by the Agri‑Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI) in Strangford Lough found peak spawning for Littorina littorea in late winter and early spring, and recommended a January–April closure to protect brood stock and recruitment. In some sample months, more than two‑thirds of females and virtually all males were spawning. ([daera-ni.gov.uk](Link

Independent biological profiles support that view. The Marine Life Information Network (MarLIN) notes that periwinkles breed over extended periods depending on local conditions, with eggs released into the sea and a pelagic larval phase lasting roughly two to six weeks-making a quiet early‑year window valuable for successful reproduction. ([biotic.marlin.ac.uk](Link

DAERA’s 2022 call for evidence flagged rising hand‑gathering pressure and the need to safeguard sensitive shores, including mudflats and seagrass within marine protected areas. Seasonal closures reduce disturbance when wildlife and habitats are most vulnerable, while giving shellfish stocks a chance to replenish. ([daera-ni.gov.uk](Link

Who’s covered and where? The measure applies to anyone taking periwinkles from the shore between the high‑ and low‑water marks. Activities permitted under a section 14 authorisation remain lawful only within the stated conditions, and permit holders should be ready to present documentation on request. Application materials are available from DAERA. ([legislation.gov.uk](Link

For harvesters and buyers, this creates a predictable four‑month rest period to plan around. AFBI’s study also recorded higher pre‑Christmas demand and prices, suggesting supply chains can adapt by shifting effort outside the spawning window and prioritising post‑season sizes that have had a chance to reproduce. ([daera-ni.gov.uk](Link

Policy‑wise, the move fits into a wider programme. DAERA has signalled dedicated fisheries management plans: Non‑Quota Shellfish in 2026 and a specific Intertidal Hand‑Gathering plan in 2027, with UK government papers confirming the NI periwinkle plan has been broadened to cover other hand‑gathered species. This regulation provides near‑term protection while those plans are finalised. ([daera-ni.gov.uk](Link

If you depend on intertidal harvesting, the practical steps are straightforward: pause periwinkle gathering during January–April; check whether your work qualifies for a section 14 permit; and keep records tidy for environmental health and fisheries checks. The conservation gain is immediate, and it sets a clearer baseline for sustainable hand‑gathering across Northern Ireland’s shores. ([legislation.gov.uk](Link