1.1 At the Joint Committee meeting in March 2007 it was resolved to support an experiment to relay 60 tonnes of juvenile cockles onto an area in the Ribble Estuary, subject to a site survey and the agreement of Natural England.

1.2 Some reservations were expressed about the proposed use of seed cockles from the Thames Estuary, because of the risk of introducing pests or diseases into the District.

2.1 The site survey has now taken place, and the proposed area appears to be suitable for the experiment. The area is relatively sheltered and, although it does not hold cockles in any numbers, there are a few wild cockles present, showing a reasonable growth rate. The area should therefore offer the possibility of good survival and growth without compromising the fishery for naturally occurring stocks.

2.2 Early discussions have taken place with Natural England, and it is hoped that agreement can be reached to carry out the experiment within the Ribble Estuary SPA.

2.3 After discussions with the applicant, Officers now suggest that 60 tonnes of cockles of the 2007 spatfall should be taken from the Ribble Estuary itself, probably the Penfold Channel area, for relaying on the experimental area. This would avoid any possibility of adverse effects such as the introduction of pests or diseases, or possible genetic changes.

2.4 Officers suggest that the harvesting of the seed cockles should be permitted under a one-off Byelaw 1 authorisation to mechanically gather them. This is not only the most efficient method, but it would be the preferred method for any long-term commercial cockle cultivation.