Cockles
Māori Name: tuangi
Name Scientific: Austrovenus stutchburyi
Availability: Year round
Attributes Length: 3–4cm
Description
Location
Cockles are widespread in New Zealand harbours and estuaries from the mean tide level to low tide. Found in sediments ranging from soft mud to soft, silty sand, they often form dense beds that contain cockles of similar size. Cockles dig a shallow burrow into the seabed.
Attributes Physical
Cockles are plump, round shells with fine ridges that run in two directions. Usually purple on the inside. Cockles have a delicate cream flesh with a low oil content. Versatile and delicately flavoured, cockles are delicious in linguine and make a nice addition to seafood chowders.
Family
New Zealand cockles are members of the Veneridae family (venerid clams). They are superficially similar to the European cockle.
Fishing Methods
Cockles are harvested year-round.
Did You Know
New Zealand cockles feed on tiny living things in the water by filtering them through their siphon system. They have a 'foot' that they extend from their shell to burrow or move around.
