1.1 At the Joint Committee meeting in September 2007 it was reported that Officers had acted to re-impose the closure of all cockle beds in Morecambe Bay, under Byelaw 13A, from 1^st September 2006 until 28^th February 2007.

1.2 The reason for the closure was that adult cockle stocks had fallen to their lowest levels for many years, and there were very few cockles present from the 2004 or 2005 year classes. There had been a widespread spatfall in 2006, and in some areas this was very dense. It was therefore decided that the fishery should be closed in order to protect what was left of the adult stock, and to prevent damage to the juvenile cockles. The closure was endorsed by the Meeting.

1.3 Inspections of the Morecambe Bay cockle beds were carried out in January and February of 2007. It was found that, unsurprisingly, adult stocks remained generally very low. The 2006 year class had suffered mixed fortunes. In some areas, such as Flookburgh, it had clearly suffered heavy mortality. In other areas, however, survival had been quite good. At Warton Sands, for example, there were patches where the 2006 cockles were present at densities of over 1,000/m².

1.4 The inspections showed that the conditions that had prompted the September closure were still in place. It was therefore decided that the closure should be retained, in order to give the adult cockles a final breeding opportunity, and to maximise the survival of the 2006 year class. After consultation with the Chairman and Vice-Chairmen, Officers therefore imposed a Byelaw 13A closure on the whole of Morecambe Bay from 1^st March until 30^th April. After this date, the seasonal closure under Byelaw 14 will take effect.

1.5 It is hoped that this action will result in further good recruitment in 2007, and will lead to a good fishery in the autumn of 2007.