The department believes that over-fishing may be the reason why stocks of the Mactra glauca, or Five Shilling Shell, are in decline.
- Mactra glauca, also known as the Five Shilling Shell, has a broadly triangular, thin, glossy shell up to 11.5 cm in length.
- The shell is covered in a brown velvet-like ‘skin’ which soon wears off to reveal a pinkish-white surface, often with dark rays.
- The Channel Islands are at the northern most limit of the Five Shilling Shell’s habitats.
- The Five Shilling Shell, which is edible, was once highly prized by conchologists [mollusc experts] and received its nickname because of its market value.[/breakout]
After consultation with the Marine Resources Panel, the Environment Minister Steve Luce has asked the Law Officers department to update the Conservation of Wildlife Law to make the Five Shilling Shell – which is the Channel Islands’ largest bivalve shellfish – a protected species.
Deputy Luce said it was ‘a priority’ to identify marine resources that are under threat and safeguard them where necessary.
He said: ‘This species is under pressure, and the report I received late last week of a further drop in its population is very worrying.
‘There is no doubt that some of our shellfish and wet fish stocks are struggling at the moment and it is my intention in the coming months to bring in legislation that will allow me to protect any threatened species where necessary.
‘This will be done by a range of options, such as bag limits, size restrictions and other constraints.’
The Channel Islands are at the most northerly limit of the Five Shilling Shell’s habitats, but it is believed that the species is only common in one area on the south-east coast of Jersey, with smaller populations also present in Guernsey and Herm.
Deputy Luce said he was prepared to take ‘a tough stance’ on over-fishing of any species in Jersey’s waters.
He said: ‘The potential commercialisation of some of our low water shellfish stocks is a great concern and I won’t hesitate to close down the fishing of any species that I consider is under serious threat.
‘The total loss of any of our traditional low water species is not something that I am prepared to contemplate.’
