1.1 The annual Shellfish Managers’ Meeting for 2007 was hosted by Sussex Sea Fisheries Committee at the RNLI College in Poole. As usual, the meeting was well attended, with delegates from most Sea Fisheries Committee’s including the Channel Islands, together with representatives from CEFAS, DEFRA, MCS, Natural England, Seafish, BIM Ireland and SAGB. Martyn Boyce and Bob Houghton represented NWNWSFC.

1.2 A very full and interesting programme was presented, with topics of much relevance to fisheries and issues within our own District. Day 1 commenced with Mike Smith of CEFAS presenting the modelled impacts of implementing various management measures such as banning landing of berried hens, raising MLS and V-notching schemes on yield per recruit in lobster populations. It was plain that combined effects of a suite of measures were greater than the sum of the effect of individual measures but all gains would eventually be negated through increased effort.

1.3 Continuing with lobsters, Kevin Graves detailed EJSFCs efforts to detect "scrubbed" lobsters in support of their byelaw banning the landing of berried hens. It certainly seemed they were on to something but the protocol remains to be tested through a prosecution. Kevin then went on to describe the results so far from a long term lobster tagging programme. Of particular note was the physical tagging protocol that allowed the tag to remain in situ through moulting and the general movement trends of recaptured animals.

1.4 Another talk from CEFAS by Peter Walker regarding the native Oyster fishery in the Solent was followed by a presentation from Bob Houghton about the justification behind NW&NWSFCs renewed efforts towards a Regulating Order for Morecambe Bay.

1.5 Clive Askew of SAGB provided the meeting with his take on the legal position relating to Regulating Orders and seabed ownership; a very considered and topical review. The morning session was closed by Rob Clark of Sussex SFC talking about the steps that Committee was taking to improve the survival of cuttlefish eggs lain on static gear.

1.6 Sussex SFC recommenced proceedings in the afternoon with Tim Dapling outlining the impacts on the fishery of a scallop dredge close season recently introduced in that area. Bill Lart of Seafish then gave a technical presentation about the work that SFIA had undertaken into a more environmentally friendly dredge design. More information is available from the SFIA website.

1.7 Bryce Beukers-Stewart of the Marine Conservation Society made a compelling case for the value of MPAs drawn from experience with setting up such an area in the Isle of Man scallop fishery.

1.8 Ian Laing of CEFAS and Andy Woolmer from South Wales SFC gave talks on shellfish disease. Ian’s covered general issues and current concerns over the spread of disease, touching on the introduction of alien species as an add on while Andy Woolmer appealed for help with the problem of mass mortality of cockles in the Burry Inlet. The day closed with an entertaining and thought provoking personal perspective on the future of shellfishing in Britain and the problems managers might face from Colin Bannister.

1.9 Day 2 was biased towards a more general review of SFCs work and research around the country. Greg Morel of Jersey SFC detailed their successful gear tagging scheme while Ed Derriman of Cornwall SFC took delegates on a tour through that SFCs ongoing research. Martyn Boyce then posed an open question to the meeting regarding the possibilities for managing a prawn fishery more effectively and the presentations concluded with the hosts showing how they had used GIS and acoustic mapping to reconcile fishing effort.

1.10 The conference closed in general discussion. As reported previously, officers found this meeting to be both interesting and informative, offering an opportunity to compare issues and management possibilities with other Committees and bodies, both through the formal presentations and discussions, and informal conversations.