1.1 Ballast Bank lies within the Menai Strait Oyster and Mussel Fishery Order, and seasonal licences are issued under that Order for the hand picking of mussels. The number of licences issued is linked to stock levels, although there is no formal procedure for determining the most appropriate number. The licences are active from 1^st September to 30^th April.

1.2 There are currently 5 licence holders for Ballast Bank, with a further 4 persons on the waiting list. It is normal practice to carry out a stock survey before issuing licences, and this has usually been done during July, with the determination of licence numbers also being made during that month.

2.1 In 2006, the Joint Committee meetings are on 19^th May and 8^th September. It is therefore proposed that Officers should be instructed to issue licences up to the present level of 5, provided that the mussel stock is found to be broadly similar to that present in 2005. If the mussel stock is found to have changed significantly, then the number of licences should be determined by the Committee, either by correspondence or a special meeting.

2.2 It is the Committee’s policy that licences should not be offered to pickers who have failed to submit catch and effort returns. Officers therefore propose that, if any of the current licence holders do not submit such returns, or do not wish to renew their licences, then licences should be offered to the persons on the waiting list, up to the maximum of 5.