NORTH WESTERN AND NORTH WALES SEA FISHERIES COMMITTEE
OFFICER’S REPORT
COCKLE AND MUSSEL FISHERIES MANAGEMENT
Report by the Principal Fishery Officer and Senior Scientific Officer.
Purpose of Report
To inform Members of the current levels of cockle and mussel stocks throughout the District, and the actions that Officers have taken to date, in order to manage those stocks
Recommendation
That Members formally endorse the actions taken by Officers in implementing the temporary closure (under Byelaw 13a) of cockle beds in Morecambe Bay for the period 1st September 2006 to 28th February 2007.
That the report be received.
1. Cockles
1.1 Following the confirmation of Byelaw 14, all cockle beds throughout the District have been subject to a seasonal closure. That closure expires at midnight on 31st August therefore Officers have considered whether or not any management intervention is required to protect any particularly vulnerable areas.
1.2 Surveys of all of the main cockle beds in Morecambe Bay were carried out in June and July of 2006. It was found that adult cockle stock levels were considerably lower than had been present in 2005. Virtually all of the adult cockles found were of the 2003 year class. There had been very limited spatfall of cockles in 2004, and few survivors of this year class were found. The 2005 spatfall had been of moderate density, but was widespread, with all of the main beds receiving some settlement. However, there has obviously been heavy loss of this year class over the winter period, and a mean density of around 10 individuals per square metre was found overall. The mean densities of adult cockles on the main beds (no/ m²) is shown in the table below, together with the equivalent levels in the spring and autumn of 2005.
| Bed |
Spring 2005 |
Sep 2005 |
July 2006 |
| Pilling |
39 |
39 |
15 |
| Middleton |
104 |
54 |
12 |
| Warton Sands |
34 |
28 |
7 |
| Flookburgh |
28 |
10 |
5 |
| Bardsea to Newbiggin |
16 |
6 |
4 |
| Roosebeck to Rampside |
210 |
51 |
34 |
It can be seen that, despite the beds north of Middleton Sands having been closed to cockle fishing since April 2005, adult cockle stocks have declined to their lowest level in recent years. The highest densities are to be found on the small bed on Rampside Sands, but here the cockles are at a high tidal level, and are small and of poor quality, with most below the Committee's minimum size despite being several years old.
1.3 On most of the beds, therefore, the mean density of adult cockles is below 20/m². There are indications from the scientific literature that the breeding success of cockles might be impaired when densities fall much below this level. Since the 2004 and 2005 year classes are very poorly represented, this means that there is some concern about the health of the stock. Should poor recruitment occur again in 2006 then it will be a long time before the stock recovers to commercial levels, as few of the 2003 year class are expected to survive to breed in 2007.
1.4 The surveys therefore indicate that, although there will be patches in the Bay where commercial gathering is still feasible, the stocks cannot support large-scale fishing, and it would be prudent to minimise disturbance to the beds in order to encourage the best possible recruitment in 2006.
1.5 Having presented the stock information to the two Fishermen’s Associations of Morecambe Bay at a meeting on 14th August 2006, Officers were minded that all cockle beds within Morecambe Bay should be temporarily closed to further protect the remaining stock. Following consultation with all relevant statutory bodies, and the Chairman of the Joint Committee, Officers have informed interested parties that Morecambe Bay cockle beds (as shown at Annex A) will be closed to fishing until at least 28th February 2007, by which time the stock situation will have been reviewed. Public notices have been displayed at all major access points to the beds, and the same notice is to be found on the Committee website (www.nwnwsfc.org).
1.6 Whilst the closure of Morecambe Bay may appear a straightforward and relatively simple action, enforcing the closure will require high levels of enforcement resource.
1.7 The remaining cockle beds throughout the District contain historically low stock levels, with the exception of Traeth Lafan (Menai Strait), where there is a fishable stock of mixed size. This will undoubtedly attract the attention of the industry. The area is environmentally highly sensitive, therefore in order to best manage the fishing impact, a multi-agency meeting was called for the 18th August 2006, to brief relevant authorities, and plan for handling large numbers of itinerant shellfish gatherers.
1.8 Small scale activity has been seen in an area where the SFC District abuts an Environment Agency area. Officers are seeking harmonisation of SFC/EA Byelaws to pre-empt infringements.
2. Mussels
2.1 Fishing for sized mussels continues at a very low level throughout the District. However most areas have been subject to a large settlement of seed mussel, and with a paucity of seed in Ireland and the East coast of England, there is commercial interest in moving seed for aquaculture within and outside of the District.
2.2 Officers therefore conclude that there is no requirement for intervention in the harvesting of adult mussel. The management of the seed resources are the subject of Agenda item 15.
MARTYN BOYCE
Principal Fishery Officer
BILL COOK
Senior Scientist
22nd August 2006
MORECAMBE BAY
COCKLE BED CLOSURES
Pursuant to Byelaw 13A, all cockle beds within Morecambe Bay are closed to cockle fishing with effect from midnight of 31st August 2006, until midnight of 28th February 2007. The area closed is shown below:
The closed area (shown as the hatched area on the chart above) is defined as any part of Morecambe Bay, the Walney Channel or the Duddon Estuary enclosed by the following points:
|
A Sandscale Haws, due south of Hodbarrow Point |
54° 10·221'N | 003° 15·260'W |
| B Hodbarrow Point | 54° 11·492'N | 003° 15·265'W |
| C Haverigg Point | 54° 11·327'N | 003° 18·987'W |
| D Lune Deep Buoy | 53° 55·803'N | 003° 11·070'W |
| E The Slipway at Chatsworth Avenue | 53° 54·703'N | 003° 03·051'W |
These positions are referred to the WGS(84) datum.
For further information, contact the Committee’s Lancaster Office.
Notes:
The closure applies to all people fishing for cockles, whether for pleasure or profit, and whatever the fishing method.
The closure is intended to conserve and protect stocks, creating a sustainable fishery.
21st August 2006