To inform Members of progressive plans to manage the potential high level of activity in the cockle fisheries on the expiry of the closed season.

1.1 All cockle beds throughout the whole of the District are currently closed to fishing until 31^st August 2007 (Byelaw 14 - Closed Season). On the expiry of the closure all cockle beds automatically revert to the 'open' status.

1.2 Since 1st September 2006 the whole of Morecambe Bay has been closed to cockle fishing for stock management purposes. The remainder of the District was fished at low levels, principally along the North Wales coast, until the 1^st May when the District-wide 'closed season' became active.

1.3 Officers expect there to be a high level of interest throughout the District when fishing resumes in September.

2.1 Initial surveys suggest that modest stocks on Traeth Lafan (North Wales) could support a low key sustainable fishery throughout the winter months. Officers are therefore meeting with the North Wales Liaison Group, in June, to formulate a strategic plan for the resumption of cockle fishing in Wales.

2.2 Initial surveys in Morecambe Bay suggest harvestable stocks may be present in certain areas of the Bay; therefore management intervention in the form of site specific temporary closed areas may be required. I have therefore called a meeting of the Joint Liaison Group, which will take place next month. This Group will again identify areas of responsibility, and revitalise the multi-agency enforcement approach, which has proven to be successful over the last four years.

2.3 With the introduction of Byelaw 5 - Cockle and Mussel Permit- in February of this year, and the new Gangmaster Licensing Scheme, it is expected that with a high level in intelligence exchange, the high numbers of casual workers involved in cockle fishing will be substantially reduced. To date some 385 permits have been issued, with the potential for another 600 to be issued for the 2007/2008 season. This number remains unsustainably high, but is a 50% reduction on the number who held 2003/2004/2005 permits. Due to the dynamic and sometimes ephemeral nature of intertidal shellfish beds, Officers are planning for a high level of fishing activity, which may not materialise.

2.4 As reported to previous meetings, the timeline was very short to achieve an active Byelaw 5 by 1^st February 2007. Unfortunately due to reasons beyond our control, we have now had to re-issue 272 permits in order to maintain validity and avoid any disruption to the scheme in the future. Whilst the emphasis on enforcement looks to the short term, Officers believe that the current permit scheme is a stepping stone to tighter management through the proposed Morecambe Bay Regulating Order.