1.1 An exceptional spatfall of mussels around the Bay produced a number of enquiries from the industry about opening certain areas for seed mussel fishing, specifically on Heysham Flat tip and also on the north side of Morecambe Bay to the east of Foulney Island.

1.2 A meeting was held with interested parties to gather views from the industry and the matter discussed at a meeting of the Scientific and Byelaws Technical Sub-Committee on 17^th July 2008 (see Agenda item 12).

2.1 Following the recommendations of the Sub-Committee, officers have issued authorisations under byelaws 12 and 15 for applicants to take undersize mussels by dredge from an area to the east of No 2 marker tower at the bottom of the Walney channel shown at Annex A. These authorisations are for the period 26^th August – 26^th September 2008 and are conditional on operators re-laying 25% of the total catch in nearby areas as requested by the local industry.

2.2 After monitoring the fishability of the resource on Heysham Flat skear, officers have also notified the industry of the intention to authorise a hand gathered fishery for seed mussel under Byelaw 15 commencing on 8^th September 2008 and running for six weeks. Authorisations are likely to include a condition that the catch be landed to boats and a requirement that access to the fishery be via a specified route. There will also be no fishing areas to avoid damage to sensitive Sabellaria colonies which are a protected feature of the skear.