1.1 Following the expiry of the closed season for cockle fishing on 31^st August, significant amounts of fishing have taken place in Morecambe Bay, particularly at Flookburgh but also on Pilling Sands.

1.2 The surveys of cockle beds in the Bay during the summer of 2007 showed that the adult cockles were largely confined to a single years class, that had settled in 2006. However, there were signs of a respectable 2007 spatfall on most beds

1.3 Since the breeding stock of cockles is now effectively just one year class, the sustainability of the population may be threatened if there is significant mortality of these adults, whether through fishing, predation or other natural causes. The survival of the 2007 year class will also be critical if a healthy population structure is to be maintained.

1.4 A series of surveys of the Morecambe Bay cockle beds has therefore been scheduled for the 3^rd week in November and the first week of December. A verbal presentation of the results and their implications for the fishery will be given at the Joint Committee meeting.