1.1 After many years of poor mussel spatfall, 2006 saw an upturn in mussel stock levels in the Conwy Fishery. As well as a significant spatfall on 2 of the main intertidal beds, 750 tonnes of Morecambe Bay mussels were relayed onto the Conwy beds. The introduction of Morecambe Bay mussels resulted from the enormous spatfall that had occurred in the Bay in 2006, and the fact that the Menai Strait lays were full. It was agreed that 750 tonnes of mussels should be over-wintered at Conwy, with half of the survivors to be dredged off in 2007, with the other half remaining for the Conwy Fishery.

2.1 A recent inspection of the Conwy beds by Conwy fishermen and Menai Strait growers found very disappointing stocks of immature mussels.

2.2 It seems that there has been near-total loss of the Morecambe Bay mussels. This is both surprising and disappointing, as the mussels on the Morfa bed, on the south side of the river channel, were in very good condition in the middle of winter. Nothing worth dredging now remains.

2.3 Survival of the natural spatfall seems to have been mixed. The Gamlwys bed, on the north side of the channel, has been subject to sanding over, and stocks of seed seem low. Prospects are better on the Morfa bed, but at present the mussels are partly embedded in the substrate and are not ready for dredging. A survey will be conducted in early June to reassess the stocks.

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 2007.

3.2 It had been agreed that 22 licences should be issued for the 2006/07 season, but only 19 of these were actually taken up. Of these, 3 were revoked during the season due to non-compliance with licence conditions, leaving 16 active licence holders. There are currently 5 persons on the waiting list. It is therefore suggested that licences should be offered to all on the waiting list, and should be made up to 22 during the season if there are further applicants.