Minho River bivalve fishing ban announced for public health

Recreational bivalve fishing will be prohibited in the international section of the Minho River (TIRM) starting November 1, citing public health concerns. The ban, detailed in a decree for the 2026/2027 season, prohibits the collection of cockles and all other bivalves until a management plan and sanitary assessment of the resources are approved.

Fernando Vieira Pereira, the port captain and commander of the Maritime Police in Caminha, noted that while commercial bivalve harvesting was already prohibited, recreational fishing was previously allowed. He explained that because the TIRM is not a designated bivalve production zone, it is not currently monitored by the Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA) for resource health.

The International Permanent Commission of the Minho River (CPIRM) is currently developing a monitoring and verification plan to assess the status of the bivalves. The Minho River serves as a natural border between Portugal and Galicia, Spain, running from Melgaço to the Atlantic Ocean at Caminha.