1.1 In recent years the output of the Conwy mussel fishery has been enhanced and stabilised by the dredging and relaying of mussels from the high intertidal areas, where growth rates are poor, to the deeper water around the river channel.

1.2 During the past few years, mussel spatfall at Conwy has been poor. The result has been falling stock levels on the intertidal beds, and a particular shortage of small mussels suitable for use as seed.

2.1 A survey of the intertidal mussel beds was carried out in late March. It was found that the seed mussel situation continues to deteriorate at Conwy, although a substantial stock of old mussels remains on the intertidal areas.

2.2 On the north side of the river channel there was only one small area of potential seed mussels, probably too small to be dredged. A more substantial area was found on the south west edge of the Morfa bed, but no more than 50 tonnes was present in this area, and most of this was not harvestable, being attached firmly to the stony substrate.

2.3 A meeting of the Conwy Mussel Development Group was held in late March, and it was agreed that this area should be re-visited later in 2006, to see if the mussels could be gathered for transplantation. If they are found to be harvestable, then the Mussel Development Group resolved that they should be relayed during the summer of 2006.

3.1 Licences for the Conwy mussel fishery for the forthcoming season will need to be issued in August, as the season commences on 1^st September 2006.

3.2 22 licences were issued for the 2005/6 season. Although fishing prospects for the forthcoming season may not be as good as last year, Officers suggest that the same number of licences should be issued. The viability of the Conwy Mussel Company purification tanks depends upon maintaining a throughput of mussels. Many of the present licence holders are only fishing at a low level, and the fishing season has been restricted by the imposition of a seasonal classification, which prohibits harvesting for the month of September. It is therefore felt that the present number of licences is satisfactory considering both stocks and the required output of the fishery.