Cerastoderma edule

Cerastoderma edule (Linnaeus, 1758)
Common edible cockle

photo by FAO

Family:	Cardiidae (cockles)
Max. size:	5.6 cm SHL (male/unsexed); max. reported age: 7 years
Environment:	benthic; brackish; marine; depth range 0 - 5 m
Distribution:	Eastern Atlantic, the Mediterranean and Black Sea: from Portugal to Egypt, north to Norway and Russia then south to Senegal, including Mediterranean and Black Sea. Occurrence in Iran, Persian Gulf is questionable.
Diagnosis:
Biology:	The Burry Inlet Cockle Fishery of this species has been certified by the Marine Stewardship Council (http://www.msc.org/) as well-managed and sustainable (http://www.msc.org/html/content_486.htm). Found in shallow coastal and estuary areas (Ref. 95774); in the subtidal zone (Ref. 96507). Inhabits the seagrass meadows Zostera noltii and Cymodocea nodosa in sand flats (Ref. 106872). Also found on intertidal muddy sand flat. Infaunal (Ref. 106873). A deposit (Ref. 96459), and suspension feeder (Refs. 96498, 106872, 106873) that is a sessile-burrower (Ref. 96498). Feeds on microphytobenthos and particulate organic matter (Ref. 106873).
IUCN Red List Status:	Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. 123251)
Threat to humans:
Country info:

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