Studland to Portland Possible Special Area of Conservation (Psac) Appropriate Assessment Mussel Seed Fishery 2012

Studland to Portland Possible Special Area of Conservation (pSAC) Appropriate Assessment Mussel Seed Fishery 2012

Title Portland Mussel (Mytilus edulis) Seed Fishery

Location West and South of the Shambles, Portland

Nature/description of Purpose the plan or project The purpose of the existing activity is to remove commercial quantities of seed mussel (Mytilus edulis) from the fishery with minimal and non-significant impact to the designated site.

Description Seed mussels (Mytilus edulis) are removed from the fishery by the use of steel framed dredges with a mesh collection bag, operated from a vessel, as defined in Southern IFCA ‘Fishing for oysters, mussels and clams’ byelaw. Fishing for seed mussel within the Southern IFCA district may only take place with the Chief Officer’s consent as detailed in the Southern IFCA ‘Mussels’ byelaw.

Date recorded 24th April 2012

This is a record of the appropriate assessment, required by Regulation 48 of the Conservation (Natural Habitats & c.) Regulations 1994, undertaken by Southern Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority (SIFCA) in respect of the above plan or project, in accordance with the Habitats Directive (Council Directive 92/43/EEC). Having considered that the plan or project may have a significant effect on the Studland to Portland possible Special Area of Conservation (pSAC) and that the plan or project is not directly connected with or necessary to the management of the site, an Appropriate Assessment has been undertaken of the potential impacts of the proposed fishery in view of the pSAC integrity and conservation.

1. Studland to Portland pSAC will be designated because:

1.1 The site comprises a mosaic of two areas containing Annex I reef habitat. The areas are described as Studland Bay to Ringstead Bay reefs and Portland reefs.

2. Identifying significant effects of the Proposal:

2.1. The likely significant effects by the proposal on the international nature conservation interests for which the site was designated are: 1

a. Physical loss of biogenic mussel (Mytilus edulis) reef communities through direct removal or smothering. Many communities that use the reef habitats are interdependent on the ecological functioning of others. The biogenic reefs are moderately sensitive to physical loss due to removal as the re-establishment of the reef may take considerable time. Overall the vulnerability of biogenic reef sub- features within the Studland to Portland pSAC due to physical loss is considered to be nil to moderate.

b. Physical damage to biogenic mussel (Mytilus edulis) reef communities through abrasion as the re-establishment of the reef may take considerable time.

c. Biological disturbance to biogenic mussel (Mytilus edulis) reef communities through the introduction of pathogens or non-native species as well as selective extraction of species from the ecosystem Overall the vulnerability of reef sub-features to biological disturbance within the pSAC is considered to be moderate to high for selective extraction and low for other forms of biological disturbance.

3. Portland Mussel Beds

3.1 Southern IFCA has undertaken a study of the Portland mussel beds in order to better inform this appropriate assessment process. Dr Ken Collins from the National Oceanography Centre, Southampton and IFCA officers carried out the survey work on board IFCA vessels and the fishing vessel ‘Nicola L’. A final report by Dr Collins on the study can be viewed in Annex V.

3.2 Fishing surveys were carried out with the regularly used dredges on board the Nicola L. The tracks of the vessel’s mussel dredge were recorded and the mass of the mussels collected estimated so that size distribution of each haul and associated species could be recorded. Fishing took place within and outside of the regularly fished area. A specially designed HD video system was also mounted to the mussel dredge to show images of the seabed immediately before harvesting and to demonstrate how the dredge operates.

3.3 A specially developed towed video sledge (Collins et.al, 2010) was deployed from the Nicola L, both within and outside of the fished area. The camera was towed for approximately 30 minutes at a speed of around 1 knot. The video data were analysed to determine mussel density, size and associated macrofauna. Southern IFCA used the fisheries patrol vessel Southern Trident to survey the wider extent and condition of the mussel beds by deploying a towed video sledge for short approximately 10 minute tows with an aim of maximum area coverage. Data was analysed by Dr Collins, a Southampton University MSc student and SIFCA staff and used to map the coverage and density of Portland’s biogenic mussel (Mytilus edulis) reef communities.

3.4 The size distribution of mussels was found to be variable across the area. There was a significant difference (P=<0.001) between the size of mussels found within and outside of the harvested area, with an average length of 2.5cm for mussels growing within the area compared to 5cm for mussels growing outside of the harvested area (for further statistics and graphs see Annex V). The fishing vessel Nicola L targets mussels around 2cm in length to relay in Poole Harbour. HD video and stills footage was analysed to calculate the average mussel coverage. Within the harvested area the average mussel coverage was found to be 61-62% compared to 45-50% outside the harvested area. This suggests that the existing fishing operation is sustainable and there is no likely significant effect of the activity upon the overall biomass of the biogenic mussel reef communities. Still photographs (figure 7) in Annex III provide an example of how mussel size and density has been calculated and further photographs can be viewed on the accompanying DVD.

3.5 The dredge used by the fishing vessel ‘Nicola L’ was found to be far from 100% efficient and a video camera mounted to the dredge mouth showed clear spillage of the catch (video can be viewed on the accompanying DVD). Nicola L typically tows two 1 tonne dredges with a combined width of 3 metres for approximately 100 metres. Video footage of the area fished since 1993 (Smith, Davies pers. comms.), taken on 15th April at the start of the 2011 fishing season and then on 1st and 15th July 2011, rarely showed any marks that could be associated with previous dredge tracks. This suggests that either the dredge doesn’t remove all mussels from an area of seabed or that fished tracks recover quickly, within 3 months of fishing. Video footage taken within the fished area instead showed almost continuous areas of very dense mussel bed with the occasional small bare patch of rock, invariably populated by dog whelks (Nucella lapillus).

3.6 The study confirms that the area of biogenic mussel reef was greater than that reported by Axelson et al. (2010). Southern IFCA views the mapping of the Portland mussel beds as an ongoing, annual study. With this in mind the full extent of the mussel beds has not yet been determined; however the study suggests that the area of seabed with coverage of more than 10% mussels is 48.67km2, based on a 1km interpolation. It has been estimated that based on a 1km interpolation and at an overall coverage of 25%, the currently known area of Portland mussel beds holds an approximate biomass of 190,000- 438,000 tonnes, depending on the size of the mussels. If the overall mussel coverage of this area was 50% the estimated biomass of mussels would be 380,000- 876,000 tonnes. These calculations are based on density, size and weight calculations carried out as part of this study. Table 2, in Annex II shows the workings for these calculations. Based on a 500 metre interpolation of data the average estimate of the standing mussel biomass is in the region of 280,000 tonnes (Collins, 2011).

3.7 In order to investigate the impacts of dredging and the recoverability of the biogenic mussel reef this study intended to match bare ground with previous dredge tracks through video surveying fished areas and comparing before and after footage. It was evident, however, that the dredge was far from 100% efficient, not capturing mussels over uneven bedrock and losing a fraction of the displaced mussels. Thus there were rarely any bands 3m wide seen in the towed video record which could be associated with previous dredge tracks (Collins, 2011).

3.8 The harvested area has remained very constant over the past 20 years, suggesting that the mussel dredging impact is sustainable, if there was no new settlement in this area then the harvesting area would have to be constantly changed (Collins, 2011). The removal of mussels creates bare patches of rocky seabed for new settlement and it appears there is sufficient mussel spat in the area to repopulate these sites, particularly as fishing generally takes place when mussels are spatting. Furthermore the Royal Haskoning SAC selection Assessment document (2008) concludes that “it does not appear that (the mussel dredging activity) significantly impacts on the features and therefore there is no reason to assume that the reefs’ structure and functions will alter in the future.” Mussel fishing track data for the Nicola L since approximately 2001 can be seen in figures 2, 3 and 4 in Annex II. This clearly demonstrates that mussel seed extraction is an existing activity in this area, prior to the designation of the Studland to Portland pSAC. Based on these historical tracks an outline has been drawn around the 2009-2011 fished area, shown in figure 3. Two designated fishing areas have then been drawn to best fit two of the most heavily fished areas within the pSAC boundary. When defining these areas Southern IFCA has followed best practice techniques and used straight lines with minimal node points, to fit around the fishing areas (figures 4 and 5).

3.9 None of the sensitive species listed in the conservation objectives document were found within the fished area during surveys for the Southern IFCA study. A full list of species found can be seen in Dr Collins’ study report (Annex IV).

4. Summary of mitigation measures: 4.1 There exists a Southern Sea Fisheries District Committee legacy byelaw that prohibits the removal of seed mussel from within the IFCA district except for the intended purpose of relaying within the district. In order to remove mussels for relaying the consent of the Chief Fishery Officer must be obtained in writing. There also exists a Southern IFCA byelaw defining the methods allowed for the fishing of mussels. For the full wording of these byelaws see Southern IFCA byelaws in Annex I. These byelaws will be fully reviewed and amended as IFCA byelaws by April 2015 in accordance with DEFRA guidance for legacy byelaws.

4.2 Southern IFCA aims to mitigate potential impacts that may have an adverse effect on the features of the Studland to Portland pSAC as a direct result of the proposal. This Appropriate Assessment will aim to maintain mussel fishing effort at the sustainable level experienced over the past ten years.

The Authority has lain down to following mitigation measures for the proposal: a. The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) (formerly Chief Fisheries Officer) will issue permission to remove seed mussels on an annual basis as an outcome of Appropriate Assessments and annual monitoring. b. A condition of the annual permission will be that all mussel seed fishing within the Studland to Portland pSAC will take place within a designated area where fishing has historically taken place (see Annex II). The designated area has been surveyed using underwater camera and dredge

samples and was found to mostly contain the Mytilus edulis beds with hydroids and ascidians on tideswept rock biotope.

Before fishing and after fishing video tracks as part of this study have demonstrated that biogenic mussel beds within the fished area have recovered from direct fishing removal. It is not currently known whether this recovery is through freshly settled spat or by small mussels being washed onto fishing tracks. The inefficiency of the fishing dredge may also assist recovery by enabling part of the biogenic mussel reef to remain.

As there has historically been no requirement for vessels to fish within certain areas and due to the death of a former skipper there are little track data available before 2001. Anecdotal evidence (Smith, Davies pers. comms.) suggests that fishing has taken place throughout the designated area since 1991. Due to the strong tidal influence and exposed site two relatively small (approximately 60ha and 8ha) sites have been traditionally fished each year. Fishing activity has been intense over these small areas and there is normally a great deal of overlap between areas fished from year to year, also demonstrating the sustainability of the practice.

A series of figures in Annex II (figures 1-6) shows how Southern IFCA has used 2009-2011 mussel fishing track data to define a designated mussel fishing area. The total area of the northern designated area is 2.83km2 and the southern designated area covers 1.808km2, producing a combined area of 4.638km2. The total known area of the Southern IFCA mapped biogenic mussel reef (>10% coverage) is 48.67km2. It is believed that there is a greater area of mussel bed coverage than this figure as, due to the presence of static fishing gear in an area south of the West Shambles buoy, an area remains un- surveyed. The Dorset Integrated Seabed Study (DORIS) project mapped this area as biogenic mussel reef habitat and there remains other areas of overlap (see figure 5) where Southern IFCA have been unable to survey as of yet. c. As a condition of the annual permission the vessel currently fishing for mussel seed within the Studland to Portland pSAC will voluntarily fit an inshore vessel monitoring system (iVMS). This will enable Southern IFCA to monitor and enforce area restrictions imposed. The iVMS technology will provide the fishers and managers with 30 second position updates. d. Vessels with annual permission will trial gear sensors with their iVMS in an attempt to establish an accurate method of determining exactly when and where the vessel is fishing. e. A total allowable catch of 2,000 tonnes per year will be applied to the fishery to ensure that landings do not exceed levels experienced within the past ten years (see Annex III for full historic landings and an annual summary). Southern IFCA will monitor mussel landings from within the pSAC.

Based on the estimate that one 100 metre tow will collect 2 tonnes of mussels, if the fishing vessel was to not re-fish two same sites in a year and collect the maximum tonnage of 2000 tonnes, the total maximum annual dredge coverage would be 0.3km2. Currently the Nicola L regularly revisits recently fished sites on estimates that the vessel fishes an area of 0.03km2 each year. Based on the worst case scenario that no ground is re-fished in a single year and the dredges are 25% less efficient than usual, the total area fished in any one year would not exceed 0.45km2, 0.92% of the total Southern IFCA mapped area of biogenic mussel reef (also believed to be an underestimate). Based on the worst case scenario estimate of a total mussel tonnage of 190,000, the 2,000 tonne annual total allowable catch will equate to less than 1.05% of the total mussel biomass. f. Southern IFCA will annually monitor the designated fishing area to determine the effect of mussel seed fishing on the features of the pSAC. Video data of the seabed within the fished area will be collected and analysed to compare with previous years’ data to establish variation in species composition, mussel size and density and the overall condition of the site, including distribution and extent of key biotopes. This monitoring work will, where possible, take place following the conclusion of fishing activity. This will most likely be during the late summer and early autumn period although water clarity, tidal and weather conditions will be the determining factors in timing the survey work. A control site outside of the designated fishing areas, but within the pSAC area will be selected and monitored annually. Southern IFCA also intends to continue work to map the full extent of the mussel beds in the area through video analysis. Data will be collected over a 3 year period to aid this process. g. Any proposed change in gear type will either instigate a review of the Appropriate Assessment, or be postponed until any likely effect on the Studland to Portland possible Special Area of Conservation (pSAC) can be determined through the annual review of the Appropriate Assessment. h. Southern IFCA shall submit the rolling Appropriate Assessment annually, by the end of each calendar year. This will include annual monitoring data and landings reports.

5. Summary of the Fishery 1991-2011

5.1 Approximately 95% of mussel fishing activity within the Studland to Portland pSAC since 1991 is believed to have taken place within the Southern IFCA designated mussel fishing area (Smith and Davies, Pers. Comms., 2011), see Annex II. The vessel Nicola L, from the port of Weymouth, has been the sole vessel fishing for seed mussel within the pSAC area over the past two years. Prior to this the vessel ‘Lady Helen’, also from Weymouth, was known to fish the site at a low intensity.

5.2 Mussels fished in the area are fished for relaying and on-growing to a good commercial size, either in Poole Harbour where they are laid on the sea bed in Southern IFCA leased several beds, or in Portland Harbour where they are suspended from ropes. Mussels are fished using rigid framed dredges with a mesh collection bag as defined in the Southern IFCA fishing for oysters, mussels and clams byelaw. The dredges are not fitted with teeth and are not designed to dig into the seabed; photographs of a dredge used have been included in Annex IV.

5.3 Between 2001 and 2010 a total of 19,426.8 tonnes of mussels were fished from the Portland mussel beds and landed in the local port of Weymouth. Due to weather restrictions 1,100 tonnes of mussels were fished from the site in 2011. Mussels are generally fished for in the area between April and July each year, depending on weather conditions. A full record of mussel (Mytilus edulis) landings into Weymouth between 1993 and 2010, broken down into individual months, is included in Annex III, together with an annual catch summary. In the past 10 years annual mussel landings from the pSAC site brought an approximate average first sale value of £167,713.10. When fishing for mussels the Nicola L provides an income for 4 crew and a skipper, one lorry driver and 4 fishermen in Poole. Once re- laid in Poole or Portland the mussels require ongoing attention until they are re-sold. There are also a series of ancillary industries associated with maintaining the vessels and vehicles involved and dealing with the catch when it is re-sold. It is therefore very difficult to estimate the true value of the Portland Shambles mussel fishery to the South Dorset economy.

6. Conclusion

6.1 Taking into account all the information provided in the Appropriate Assessment, it is the opinion of the Authority that the Portland seed mussel fishery is an existing activity and the permitting of FV Nicola L to fish for seed mussel in 2012, following the above mentioned measures, will have no likely significant effect on the features of the Studland to Portland pSAC.

Decision

That the Southern IFCA CEO issues annual permission to fish for mussel seed to FV Nicola L (WY37) in accordance with the SIFCA ‘MUSSELS’ byelaw and the conditions detailed in this document for 2012.

SOUTHERN INSHORE FISHERIES AND CONSERVATION AUTHORITY APPROPRIATE ASSESSMENT 2012

Table 1: Southern IFCA Appropriate Assessment showing the potential for the permitted fishing for seed mussel to affect the designated status of the Studland to Portland possible Special Area of Conservation Feature Sub-Feature Attribute Target (Regulation Potential Effect Nature of and Likelihood of Preventative Measures/ SIFCA 33 Conservation from Seed Effect Occurring Mitigation Assessment Objective) Mussel Fishery of Effect on Integrity of pSAC Annex 1 Biogenic Reef Extent No reduction in the Potential for the Mussel seed fishing will initially result  Mussel seed extraction will be No adverse reef Communities extent of the reef extent of biogenic in a non-significant loss of biogenic restricted to a defined effect habitat allowing for natural reefs to be non- reef in the short term. The Southern 4.518km2 area which has change. significantly IFCA study and existing mussel fishing historically been fished and reduced as a operations have shown that the extent yields typically smaller result of fishing of biogenic reefs will not be reduced mussels of about 2cm in operations. over time. length.

The mussel communities within the  Fishing vessels will voluntarily proposed fishing area are typically fit iVMS tracking system and dominated by smaller mussels that are trial gear sensors to monitor around 2cm length compared to fishing operations in detail. mussels that average between 3cm and 5cm outside of this area.  A total of 2,000 tonnes per annum of mussels will be The harvested area has remained very allowed to be fished from the constant over the past 20 years, site in order to prevent an suggesting that the mussel seed fishing increase in fishing effort is sustainable. It is believed that the (compared to the average fishing of mussels exposes bare ground annual removal since 2001). for new seed to settle, thus creating Southern IFCA will monitor the densely packed communities of landings records submitted by small mussels found within the fished fishing vessels. area.  The designated fishing area During the study by Southern IFCA and will be monitored annually by

Feature Sub-Feature Attribute Target (Regulation Potential Effect Nature of and Likelihood of Preventative Measures/ SIFCA 33 Conservation from Seed Effect Occurring Mitigation Assessment Objective) Mussel Fishery of Effect on Integrity of pSAC Dr Ken Collins, little evidence of any video camera surveys to scars resembling a dredge track as determine the effect of recently as one week following fishing mussel seed fishing on the operations was found. It appeared that extent of the biogenic reef. re-settlement had occurred in nearly all dredge scars.  Southern IFCA will issue permission to fish on an annual basis subject to the outcome of monitoring and appropriate assessments. Biotope Maintain the full At the current The fishing activity will be restricted to  A defined mussel fishing area No adverse composition variety of biotopes level and a designated area dominated by the that only covers an area of effect identified for the site, recommended Mytilus edulis beds with hydroids and small (around 2cm long) allowing for natural site there is no ascidians on tideswept rock biotope (a mussels will be designated succession or known potential for the full species list for the designated area and enforced to ensure that cyclical change. seed mussel can be found in Annex IV). The large sections of the biogenic fishing to affect remaining biogenic mussel reef and mussel reef will not be the variety of other biotopes will be protected from affected. biotopes direct mussel fishing disturbance. identified.  The defined fishing area will Mussel fishing activity has taken place be monitored annually to within the designated site for at least determine the effect of the past 20 years (landings records in mussel seed fishing on the Annex III), often at a higher intensity composition of the biogenic than that currently taking place. reef.

The existing mussel fishing activity therefore has little potential to alter the composition and variety of biotopes.

Feature Sub-Feature Attribute Target (Regulation Potential Effect Nature of and Likelihood of Preventative Measures/ SIFCA 33 Conservation from Seed Effect Occurring Mitigation Assessment Objective) Mussel Fishery of Effect on Integrity of pSAC Distribution of Maintain the No potential to The mussel seed fishing activity will be  The mussel fishing activity will No adverse biotopes distribution of change the restricted to a defined area heavily be restricted to a designated effect biotopes, allowing distribution of dominated by the Mytilus edulis beds area which is dominated by for natural biotopes. with hydroids and ascidians on Mytilus edulis beds with succession/known tideswept rock biotope. hydroids and ascidians on cyclical change. tideswept rock biotope. History has demonstrated that fished areas are quickly re-colonised by a  The defined fishing area will new settlement of mussel spat at this be monitored annually to site. determine the effect of mussel seed fishing on the As there will minimal direct impact on distribution of the biogenic other biotopes and the Mytilus edulis reef. beds with hydroids and ascidians on tideswept rock biotope has been found to quickly recover it is anticipated that there will be no change in the distribution of biotopes. Extent of No change in the Potential for The area fished has been  The mussel fishing activity will No adverse representative/ extent of the change to the demonstrated to quickly recolonize be restricted to a designated effect notable biotope(s) allowing extent of the with seed mussels following fishing to area which is dominated by biotopes for natural Mytilus edulis the extent that very little sign of biogenic mussel reef. succession/known beds with fishing activity can be observed on the cyclical change. hydroids and sea bed (Collins, 2011).  The defined fishing area will ascidians on be monitored annually to tideswept rock It is anticipated that there will be no determine the effect of biotope as a change in the extent of Mytilus edulis mussel seed fishing on the result of fishing beds with hydroids and ascidians on extent of the Mytilus edulis operations. tideswept rock biotope or any other beds with hydroids and biotopes as a result of the mussel seed ascidians on tideswept rock fishing activity. biotope and any other

Species No decline in biotope Potential for As mussels are removed through  The mussel fishing activity will No adverse composition of quality due to change insignificant fishing there is the potential other be restricted to a designated effect representative in species change to the species to colonise the areas of bare area which is dominated by or notable composition or loss species substrate. biogenic mussel reef. In this biotopes of notable species composition. area mussel fishing has been allowing for natural It has been demonstrated that recently demonstrated to be highly succession/known fished areas are soon re-colonised by selective with very few other cyclical change. mussel seed to a high density species caught in the dredge. (120mussels/10cm2). Where declines in  The defined fishing area will biotope quality have Very few by-catch species have been be monitored annually to occurred due to found in the mussel dredge (a list of determine the effect of damage from specific these can be found in the Portland mussel seed fishing on activities, these mussel beds report Annex IV), biotope quality due to change declines will need to therefore the impact on other species in species composition or loss be addressed due to removal is not considered of notable species. through significant. management. N/A. Species Maintain age/size No potential to None of the listed species are known  Fishing will be restricted to a No adverse population class structure of change structure to occur within the designated fishing designated area where none effect measures: individual species of individual area and therefore are unlikely to be of the listed individual species Population populations. species listed. impacted by mussel fishing activity. are known to occur. structure of individual Where declines in Historical fishing activity within the  The defined fishing area will species age/size class designated area has resulted in an be monitored annually to (potentially structure of immature population of mussels. determine the effect of including but individual species There is a consistent population of mussel seed fishing on not limited to): populations have small (around 2cm in length), densely population structure of

Feature Sub-Feature Attribute Target (Regulation Potential Effect Nature of and Likelihood of Preventative Measures/ SIFCA 33 Conservation from Seed Effect Occurring Mitigation Assessment Objective) Mussel Fishery of Effect on Integrity of pSAC occurred due to packed (120/10cm2) mussels within individual species. Eunicella damage from scallop the area fished. It is likely that verrucosa dredging, these continued fishing activity will maintain  A total of 2,000 tonnes per Caryophyllia declines will need to this existing population structure. annum of mussels will be inornata be reversed. allowed to be fished from the Hoplangia N/A. site in order to prevent an durotrix increase in fishing effort. Bedrock Reef Extent No reduction in the No potential for a A relatively light dredge without teeth  The mussel fishing activity will No adverse Communities extent of the reef reduction in is used for fishing and it is thought that take place in a designated effect allowing for natural bedrock reef the impact of this dredge on bedrock area dominated by biogenic change. communities. reef would be minimal. Any areas of reef communities. Areas of bedrock reef have been historically bedrock reef communities avoided due to the absence of mussels found during underwater and the potential for serous snagging camera surveys have been of the dredge. excluded from this designated fishing area as to avoid any There are believed to be no areas of direct impact from mussel significant bedrock reef within the seed fishing operations. designated mussel fishing area and therefore the likelihood of the effect  Annual surveys will be carried occurring is thought to be minimal to out within the designated none. fishing area to further confirm that no bedrock reef communities area present within the fishing area. Biotope Maintain the full No potential for a As above. As above. No adverse composition variety of biotopes reduction in the effect identified for the site, variety of bedrock allowing for natural reef community succession or known biotopes. cyclical change.

Where declines in biotope quality have occurred due to damage from specific activities, these declines will need to be addressed through management.

ANNEX I

THE SEA FISHERIES REGULATION ACT 1966 (which consolidated with improvements the Sea Fisheries Regulation Acts 1888 to 1930, the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 and Transitional provisions.

BYELAWS

MADE BY THE LOCAL FISHERIES COMMITTEE FOR THE SOUTHERN SEA FISHERIES DISTRICT RENAMED THE SOUTHERN IFCA (HEREINAFTER CALLED THE AUTHORITY) AND SUBSEQUENTLY CONFIRMED BY THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS (FORMERLY MAFF).

Byelaws 1 – 15 apply within that part of the Southern IFCA District enclosed by a line drawn three nautical miles to seaward of baselines and Byelaws 16 -27 apply within that part of the District enclosed by a line six nautical miles to seaward. The 1983 Baselines are the lines from which the breadth of the territorial sea is measured and include recognised Bay closing lines.

Unless otherwise stated the byelaws shall apply to the whole extent of the Southern IFCA District (hereinafter called the District) within the three or six mile limit as appropriate. The District extends within the boundaries of:

Western Boundary – a loxodromic line joining Point 1, Latitude 50° 43.07’ N, Longitude 2° 56.78’ W Point 2. Latitude 50° 36.36’ N, Longitude 2° 56.78’ W

Eastern Boundary – a loxodromic line joining Point 1 Latitude 50° 46.62’ N, Longitude 0° 55.92’W Point 2 Latitude 50° 33.93N Longitude 0° 55.92’W which includes all waters around the Isle of Wight, the Solent, Langstone Harbour, Portsmouth Harbour, Southampton Water, the Hamble, Poole Harbour, Portland Harbour, the Fleet and rivers up to the county boundary.

Nothing in these Byelaws shall apply to any person fishing for taking removing or dredging any sea fish for scientific or experimental purposes under the written authority on the behalf of the Authority signed by their Chief Executive and in accordance with the conditions contained in that authority.

The expression “mechanical power” hereinafter used shall mean power other than that derived from the use of oars or sails.

The information contained in this booklet is provided to assist fishermen and should not be used as a definitive statement of current regulations. The original byelaws are held at the Authority’s office and copies are available on request.

THE FOLLOWING BYELAWS APPLY WITHIN THE AREA ENCLOSED BY A LINE DRAWN THREE NAUTICAL MILES TO SEAWARD OF BASELINES.

Fishing Under Mechanical Power – Closed Area 1. Between the 1st day of May and the 31st day of August in the same year both days inclusive no person shall use in fishing for sea fish any trawl net in connection with a vessel which is for the time being propelled either entirely or in part by means of mechanical power in that part of the District which lies within one nautical mile from any part of the coast (measured from the general line of the coast at mean high-water spring tides) between a line drawn true South along longitude 2 degrees 50.4 minutes West from the most southerly portion of the base of Golden Cap and a line drawn due South from Chesil Beach on a longitude of 2 degrees 33.5 minutes West.

Poole Harbour – Prawns Close Season 2. During the period from 1st day of January to the 31st day of July in any year (both days inclusive) no person shall in Poole Harbour Dorset West of and within the line of the ferry across the mouth of the said Harbour fish for any prawns or remove any prawns from the fishery.

Cockles 3. No person shall fish for or take from a fishery any cockle between the 1st day of February in any year and the 30th day of April in the same year, both days inclusive.

No person shall fish for or take from a fishery any cockle except: a. by hand picking, or b. by rake or other like instrument not exceeding 305mm in length and having spaces of not less than 22.5mm between the teeth or c. when the cockle bed is covered by water by i) a dredge not exceeding 460mm in width or ii) a scoop not exceeding 460mm in width and having spaces of not less than 22.5 mm between the wires or netting forming the bag.

When using a dredge or scoop from a vessel, cockles may only be removed when the dredge or scoop has been hauled and lifted into the vessel.

No person shall remove from a fishery any cockle which will pass through a gauge having a square opening measuring 23.8mm along each side thereof.

Any person using a riddle or like instrument for sorting or sifting cockles shall ensure that all resultant siftings are evenly spread over the cockle bed.

Periwinkles 4. No person shall take from a fishery any periwinkles between the 15th day of May in any year and the 15th day of September in the same year, both days inclusive. No person shall take periwinkles except by hand picking.

Oysters 5. (a) No person shall remove from a public or regulated fishery any oyster (other than Portuguese oysters and Pacific Oysters) which will pass through a circular ring of 70mm in internal diameter.

(b) No person shall remove from a public fishery any cultch or other materials for the reception of the spawn or young of any shellfish unless such removal is necessary for the destruction of pests or their spawn or of disease or is in accordance with established principles of oyster cultivation.

(c) Any such oyster cultch or other material for the reception of spat, which may be lifted while fishing or otherwise, the removal of which from a public fishery is prohibited by the above byelaws, shall at once be redeposited as nearly as possible on the same fishing ground.

Regulation of the Use of Stake or Stop Nets in Langstone Harbour 6. In that part of the District within Langstone Harbour which lies north of a line across the harbour entrance between Gunner Point and Eastney Lake Pumping Outfall Light, no person shall in fishing for sea fish place or maintain across or partly across a channel or creek, at any place which becomes dry at low water, any stake, stop or dosh net during the period between the commencement of the last hour before the tide leaves that place and the expiration of the first hour after the tide has begun to re-flow at that place.

Oysters, Clams, Mussels – Prohibition on Night Fishing 7. No person shall dredge or fish for or take any oysters, clams or mussels on any day before 8.00 am or after 4.00 pm (local time). Provided that this Byelaw:- (a) Shall not affect any Byelaw relating to close seasons or to any requirements for holding any licences; and

(b) Shall not apply to the taking of any clams or mussels during any close season for oysters imposed by any Byelaw or under any Regulating Order for the time being in force: and

(d) Shall not apply to the dredging or fishing for or taking of clams in Southampton Water North of the line joining the Northern ends of the Hamble and Fawley Oil Terminal Jetties; and

(e) Shall not apply to the dredging or fishing for or taking of clams and mussels West of a line drawn North South through the Needles Lighthouse.

Oyster Dredges 8. In dredging or fishing for oysters in any fishery no dredge shall be used which has a front edge or blade exceeding 1.5 metres in length and if two or more dredges are in dredging or fishing for oysters used at the same time in or from the same boat or vessel the total length of the front edges or blades of such dredges when added together shall not exceed 3.0 metres.

This byelaw does not prejudicially affect any right of several fishery under the Sea Fisheries (Shellfish) Act 1967.

Temporary Closure of Shellfish Beds 9. Where in the opinion of the Committee, in any fishery, any bed or part of a bed of shellfish is so severely depleted as to require temporary closure in order to ensure recovery, or any bed or part of a bed contains mainly immature or undersized shellfish which in the interests of the protection and development of the fishery ought not to be fished for the time being, or any bed of transplanted shellfish ought not to be fished until it has become established, and where the bed or part thereof has been clearly defined in notices displayed in the vicinity prohibiting the removal of the shellfish, or where the display of notices is not practicable notice has been given by publishing a notice in a weekly newspaper circulating in the District in which that shellfish bed or part of bed is situated. No person shall, while the bed or part thereof is so defined, take away any shellfish without the consent of the Committee.

For the purpose of this Byelaw the term “shellfish” means mussels, oysters and clams.

Oysters Close Season 10. No person shall dredge or fish for in or take from any fishery oysters during the period from 1st day of March to the 31st day of October in any year both days inclusive. Provided that between 14th May in any year and the following 4th August (both days inclusive) this Byelaw shall not apply within that part of the District which is within 10 miles of South Haven Point at the entrance to Poole Harbour where the oysters so taken are intended for the purpose of oyster cultivation by being placed without delay and without prior sale on an oyster cultivation bed or laying situated within the areas in and near the Harbour at Poole which are comprised in and described by the Poole Fishery Order and within such bed or laying there is at the time a several right of fishery for oysters. This byelaw does not prejudicially affect any right of several fishery under the Sea Fisheries (Shellfish) Act 1967.

American Hard Shelled Clams – Minimum Size 11. No person shall remove from a fishery any clam of the species Mercenaria mercenaria which measures less than 63 mm across the longest part of the shell.

Fishing for Oysters Mussels and Clams 12. When fishing for oysters, clams and mussels in any fishery only the following methods may be used: a. Handpicking

b. Dredging using a dredge with a rigid framed mouth so designed as to take shellfish only when towed along the sea bed. Shellfish may only be removed from the dredge when it has been hauled and lifted into the vessel.

This byelaw does not prejudicially affect any right of Several Fishery under the Sea Fisheries (Shellfish) Act 1967. Carriage of Oysters 13. When dredging, fishing for or taking any sea fish of any description other than oysters (Ostrea edulis) from any vessel within the limits of the Solent Oyster Fishery

Order 1980 as defined by Statutory Instrument 1980 Number 1373 (and subsequent amendments) no person shall have on board any oysters (Ostrea edulis).

Carriage of Clams 14. When dredging, fishing for, or taking any sea fish of any description, other than clams from any vessel within the limits of the Poole Fishery Order as defined by Statutory Instrument 1985 Number 847, no person shall have on board any clams. This byelaw does not prejudicially affect any right of Several Fishery under the Sea Fisheries (Shellfish) Act 1967.

Prohibition on using or carrying a shellfish dredge, scoop or handrake in certain areas of Poole Harbour 15. 1. No person shall - a) use or carry, or b) cause, permit or assist any other person to use, a shellfish dredge, scoop or handrake for fishing purposes in the areas of Poole Harbour specified in paragraph 3.

2. No vessel shall carry a shellfish dredge or scoop in the areas of Poole Harbour specified in paragraph 3.

3. Area 1 – Newton Bay All waters South of the direct line joining the following points and positions: 50° 40.351’ N 001° 59.493’ W 50° 40.402’ N 001° 59.750’ W

Area 2 – Ower Bay All waters South West of the direct line joining the following points and positions: 50° 40.522’ N 002° 00.101’ W 50° 40.670’ N 002° 00.464’ W

Area 3 – Wych Lake and Middlebere Lake All waters South West of the direct line joining the following points and positions: 50° 41.255’ N 002° 01.755’ W 50° 40.891’ N 002° 01.030’ W

Area 4 – Arne Bay All waters West of the direct line joining the following points and positions: 50° 41.950’ N 002° 01.640’ W 50° 42.199’ N 002° 01.849’ W

Area 5 – Keysworth All waters West of the direct line joining the following points and positions: 50° 42.400’ N 002° 04.510’ W 50° 42.250’ N 002° 04.075’ W 50° 41.843’ N 002° 04.545’ W 50° 41.881’ N 002° 04.272’ W

This byelaw shall not apply to any person using a shellfish dredge, scoop or handrake for scientific purposes under written authority of the Southern Inshore Fisheries Conservation authority

This data is taken from Admiralty Charts and stated in latitude and longitude co- ordinate points and positions. The landward boundary is the Highest Astronomical Tide.

This byelaw does not prejudicially affect any right of several fishery under the Sea Fisheries (Shellfish) Act 1967.

THE FOLLOWING BYELAWS APPLY WITHIN THE AREA ENCLOSED BY A LINE DRAWN SIX NAUTICAL MILES TO SEAWARD OF BASELINES.

Fixed Engines 16. 1. The placing and use of fixed engines, other than Fyke nets, for the taking of seafish is prohibited during the period from 1 April to 30 September (both days inclusive) in any year in the following areas:-

(a) Poole Harbour. All parts of Poole Harbour to the West of the line of the Chain Ferry between South Haven Point and Sandbanks and all parts of any river or stream flowing into Poole Harbour which fall within the Southern Sea Fisheries District.

(b) Keyhaven. The area enclosed by Hurst Beach and Hurst Point to the South and West, by a line drawn true North from the Northern tip of North Point to Keyhaven Marshes to the East and extending North to the ordinary limit of High Water.

(c) Lymington. All parts of the Lymington River which lie to the North West of a line drawn true South West from the Seaward end of the Rail Ferry Terminal Jetty and within the Southern Sea Fisheries District.

(d) Test and Itchen. All parts of the Rivers Test and Itchen upstream of a line drawn due East and West from the Southern end of the Port of Southampton Dockhead and within the Southern Sea Fisheries District.

(e) River Meon. The area within 800 metres of the River Meon sluice gate at Hillhead.

2. Lyme Bay. No fixed net may be set in the areas enclosed by the lines: from longitude 2°56.70’W (Western boundary of the District) to a point bearing 180° True and from longitude 2°41.40’W (East of Burton Mere) to a point bearing 211° True within one nautical mile of the shore as defined by the lowest astronomical tide during the period from 1st May to 31st July inclusive unless the headline of every fixed net is set at least three metres below the surface of the water at any state of the tide.

Vessels Used in Fishing 17. No person shall use, or permit the use of any vessel which exceeds 12 metres in overall length for fishing for or taking sea fish within any part of the District which lies within a line drawn six nautical miles to seaward from the baselines.

Save that this Byelaw shall not apply:

(i) in that part of the District which lies inside a line drawn three nautical miles to seaward from baselines to any vessel over 12 metres in overall length registered with the Committee on 1st January 1995 to fish for the purpose of sale.

(ii) in that part of the District which lies between a line drawn three nautical miles to seaward from the baselines and a line drawn six nautical miles to seaward from baselines to any vessel over 12 metres in overall length which was registered with the Committee on 27 July 1995 to fish for the purpose of sale until: a. in the case of a vessel based at a port within the District boundaries, it ceases to be so based.

b. in the case of a vessel not based at a port within the District boundaries, on change of ownership.

This byelaw does not prejudicially affect any right of Several Fishery under the Sea Fisheries (Shellfish) Act 1967.

Vessels used in Fishing for Sale 18. No person shall use or permit the use of any vessel for fishing for or taking sea fish for the purpose of sale other than an open or undecked boat navigated by oars only unless he has, within the previous 24 months, registered or re-registered (as the case may be) this vessel with the Committee and has obtained a certificate to that effect signed by the Chief Fishery Officer of the Committee, which certificate shall be issued without payment upon application on the prescribed form and upon production of the Certificate of Registry of the said vessel as a British Sea Fishing Boat under Part II of the Merchant Shipping Act 1988.

This byelaw does not prejudicially affect any right of Several Fishery under the Sea Fisheries (Shellfish) Act 1967.

Grey Mullet – Minimum Size 19. No person shall take from the fishery any grey mullet that measures less than 30 cms when measured from the tip of the snout to the end of the tailfin.

Mussels 20. No person shall remove from a fishery any mussel less than 50mm in length except where the mussels so removed are intended for the purpose of mussel cultivation by being placed without delay on a mussel cultivation bed or laying situated within the Southern Sea Fisheries District and within such bed or laying there is at the time a several or charter or other private right of fishery for mussels. Mussels for relaying may not be removed without first obtaining from the Chief Fishery Officer of the Committee his consent in writing which consent shall be given

only if in the opinion of such Chief Fishery Officer their removal will not have a detrimental effect upon the fishery.

This byelaw does not prejudicially affect any right of Several Fishery under the Sea Fisheries (Shellfish) Act 1967.

Redeposit of Shellfish 21. Any person who takes any shellfish, the removal of which from a fishery is prohibited by any byelaw in force in the District, or the possession of which is prohibited by any Act of Parliament or Statutory Instrument shall forthwith redeposit the same, without injury, as nearly as possible in the place from which it was taken. This byelaw does not prejudicially affect any right of several fishery under the Sea Fisheries (Shellfish) Act 1967.

Foul Hooking 22. No person shall use any instrument or device whether used with a rod or line or otherwise for the purpose of foul hooking any mullet or bass. In this Byelaw the term “foul hooking” means the deliberate act of hooking the fish in the body, posterior to the eyes.

Skates and Rays- Minimum Size 23. No person shall take:

(a) any skate or ray that measures less than 40cm between the extreme tips of the wings; or

(b) any wing which measures less than 20cm in its maximum dimension and which is detached from the body of a skate or ray.

Electric Current 24. No person shall within the District take or kill any sea fish by the discharge of electric current.

Minimum Fish Sizes 25. No person shall take from the fishery any fish of the following species that measures less than the size listed when measured from the tip of the snout to the end of the tail.

Black Seabream 23 Brill 30 Dab 23 Conger Eel 58 Flounder 27 Lemon Sole 25 Red Mullet 15 Shad 30

Turbot 30 Witch Flounder 28

SCALLOP FISHING 26. a. When dredging for scallops (Pecten maximus) within any fishery the maximum number of dredges which may be towed at any time is twelve. All dredges must be fitted with a spring loaded tooth bar and the mouth of any dredge must not exceed 85 cm in overall width. No more than two tow bars may be used at any time and the maximum length of any tow bar shall not exceed 5.18 metres including attachments.

b. No person shall fish for or take any scallop from any fishery on any day before 0700 local time and after 1900 local time.

This byelaw does not prejudicially affect any right of Several Fishery under the Sea Fisheries (Shellfish) Act 1967.

PROTECTION OF BERRIED (EGG BEARING) LOBSTERS 27. 1. This byelaw applies throughout the Southern Sea Fisheries District.

2. No person shall remove from the fishery any berried lobster of the species Homarus gammarus.

3. Any berried lobster so berried shall be immediately returned to the sea, as near as possible to the place from which it was taken.

4. For the purpose of this byelaw “berried” shall mean the carrying of any eggs or spawn attached to the tail or some other exterior part of the lobster, or such a condition as to show at the time when it was taken the animal was carrying eggs or spawn so attached.

5. Provided that this byelaw shall not apply to any person removing berried lobster for scientific purposes, under the written authority of the Southern Sea Fisheries Committee and in accordance with the conditions contained in that authority.

6. This byelaw does not prejudicially affect any right of several fishery under the Sea Fisheries (Shellfish) Act 1967.

SOUTHERN INSHORE FISHERIES AND CONSERVATION AUTHORITY

BAY CLOSING LINES

WEYMOUTH BAY

From: 50° 32.58″N 2° 24.50″W (Vicinity Grove Point).

To: 50° 37.04″N 2° 15.31″W (Approx. 900 metres West of Lulworth Cove)

POOLE BAY

From: 50° 35.37″N 1° 56.59″W (Durlston Head)

To: 50° 39.35″N 1° 34.41″W ( Sun Corner) EAST WIGHT

From: 50° 36.00″N 1° 10.42″W (Church Rocks)

To: 50° 43.03″N 0° 47.39″W (Approx. 350 metres South of Selsey Bill)

ANNEX I Prohibition on Using or Carrying a Shellfish Dredge, Scoop or Handrake in Certain Areas of Poole

ANNEX I Byelaw: Fixed Engines

180° True

211° True 211° True

N.B. For illustrative purposes only. Please refer to byelaw for definitive positions

ANNEX II

Figure 1. A chart to show the position of the Portland section of the Studland to Portland pSAC (black outline), in relation to the Southern IFCA mapped area of biogenic mussel reef (>10% ground coverage, extrapolated to 1,000m) (blue shaded area) and the DORIS mapped area of mussel bed (black hatched area).

Figure 2. A chart to show the main tracks of mussel fishing activity since approximately 2002 ( in relation to the area of mussel coverage and the pSAC area. Repeated tracks are not recorded. Red dots represent the guide tracks for mussel fishing and the red shaded areas indicate 2009/2010 fishing areas.

Figure 3. A chart to show the outline shading made by Southern IFCA of historical mussel fishing tracks (red shaded areas) in relation to fishing tracks, mussel bed coverage and the pSAC area.

Figure 4. A chart to show the Southern IFCA proposed designated mussel fishing areas (red hatched boxes) in relation to historical fishing tracks, mussel bed coverage and the pSAC area.

Figure 5. A chart to show the position of the Southern IFCA proposed designated mussel fishing area in relation to SIFCA and DORIS observed mussel bed coverage and the pSAC area.

Figure 6. A chart to show the Southern IFCA proposed designated mussel fishing area with labelled co-ordinate points.

Figure 7. Screen shots from the high definition video , both 35cm across (as gauged from the two laser dots 10cm apart in the centre of each frame). The above still shot was taken within the fished area and the still below was taken outside of the fished area.

Inside fished Outside fished area area no per 120 30 10x10cm width cm 1.25 2.5 length cm 2.5 5 weight g 1.3 12 g/10x10cm 156 360 kg/m2 15.6 36 kg/300m2 4680 10800 tonnes/dredge 4.68 10.8 50% cover 2.34 5.4

50% efficiency 1.17t 2.7 t Table 1. Showing the mussel size and density, weight and dredge yield calculations for the two stills in figure 7.

Total biomass Small mussels Large mussels kg/m2 15.6 36 tonnes/km2 15600 36000 @100%cover tonnes/km2 @ 7800 18000 50%cover tonnes/km2 @ 3900 9000 25%cover 48.67km2 @ 379629 876060 50%cover

48.67km2 @ 189813 438030 25%cover

Table 2. Showing the a provisional estimation of total biomass (in tonnes, where not otherwise specified) of the current known area of mussel bed (>10% coverage).

ANNEX III

Table 3. Landings Of Mussels Into Weymouth, 1993 – 2010

Year Month Port of Species Live weight Cumulative Landings value landing (kg) Annual weight (£) (tonnes) 1993 5 WEYMOUTH MUSSELS 90,000 90 17,100 1993 6 WEYMOUTH MUSSELS 35,000 125 8,750 1993 12 WEYMOUTH MUSSELS 1,000,000 1,125 80,000 1994 12 WEYMOUTH MUSSELS 4,000,000 4,000 320,000 1995 3 WEYMOUTH MUSSELS 960,000 960 76,800 1995 12 WEYMOUTH MUSSELS 600,000 1,560 48,000 1996 12 WEYMOUTH MUSSELS 2,300,000 2,300 184,000 1997 6 WEYMOUTH MUSSELS 600,000 600 48,000 1997 12 WEYMOUTH MUSSELS 560,000 1,160 44,800 1998 12 WEYMOUTH MUSSELS 2,900,000 2,900 232,000 1999 2 WEYMOUTH MUSSELS 75,000 75 6,000 1999 3 WEYMOUTH MUSSELS 150,000 225 12,000 1999 4 WEYMOUTH MUSSELS 25,000 250 2,000 1999 5 WEYMOUTH MUSSELS 475,000 725 38,000 1999 6 WEYMOUTH MUSSELS 125,000 850 10,000 1999 7 WEYMOUTH MUSSELS 50,000 900 4,000 1999 8 WEYMOUTH MUSSELS 25,000 925 2,000 2000 5 WEYMOUTH MUSSELS 225,000 225 146,250 2000 8 WEYMOUTH MUSSELS 50,000 275 4,000 2001 4 WEYMOUTH MUSSELS 286,000 286 28,600 2001 5 WEYMOUTH MUSSELS 208,000 494 16,640 2001 6 WEYMOUTH MUSSELS 558,000 1,052 63,039 2001 7 WEYMOUTH MUSSELS 430,999 1,483 34,481 2002 3 WEYMOUTH MUSSELS 41,600 41.6 3,328 2002 4 WEYMOUTH MUSSELS 417,100 458.7 33,368 2002 5 WEYMOUTH MUSSELS 524,000 982.7 41,920 2002 6 WEYMOUTH MUSSELS 700,000 1,682.7 56,000 2002 7 WEYMOUTH MUSSELS 242,000 1,924.7 19,360 2002 9 WEYMOUTH MUSSELS 48,000 1,972.7 3,840 2002 10 WEYMOUTH MUSSELS 250,000 2,222.7 20,000 2003 4 WEYMOUTH MUSSELS 50,000 50 4,000 2003 5 WEYMOUTH MUSSELS 175,000 225 14,000 2003 7 WEYMOUTH MUSSELS 375,000 600 30,000 2003 8 WEYMOUTH MUSSELS 425,000 1,025 34,000 2003 9 WEYMOUTH MUSSELS 200,000 1,225 16,000

2004 4 WEYMOUTH MUSSELS 650,100 650.1 60,000 2004 5 WEYMOUTH MUSSELS 1,000,000 1,650.1 80,000 2004 6 WEYMOUTH MUSSELS 1,150,000 2,800.1 92,000 2004 7 WEYMOUTH MUSSELS 350,000 3,150.1 28,000 2005 4 WEYMOUTH MUSSELS 900,000 900 72,000 2005 5 WEYMOUTH MUSSELS 550,000 1,450 44,000 2005 6 WEYMOUTH MUSSELS 950,000 2,400 139,875 2005 7 WEYMOUTH MUSSELS 600,000 3,000 48,000 2005 8 WEYMOUTH MUSSELS 300,000 3,300 24,000 2005 9 WEYMOUTH MUSSELS 1,086,000 4,386 86,880 2005 10 WEYMOUTH MUSSELS 500,000 4,886 40,000 2005 11 WEYMOUTH MUSSELS 150,000 5,036 12,000 2006 4 WEYMOUTH MUSSELS 100,000 100 8,000 2006 5 WEYMOUTH MUSSELS 250,000 350 20,000 2006 6 WEYMOUTH MUSSELS 525,000 875 42,000 2006 7 WEYMOUTH MUSSELS 400,000 1,275 32,000 2006 8 WEYMOUTH MUSSELS 375,000 1,650 30,000 2006 9 WEYMOUTH MUSSELS 175,000 1,825 14,000 2007 2 WEYMOUTH MUSSELS 25,000 25 2,000 2007 3 WEYMOUTH MUSSELS 350,000 375 28,000 2007 4 WEYMOUTH MUSSELS 399,999 775 32,000 2007 5 WEYMOUTH MUSSELS 175,000 950 14,000 2007 6 WEYMOUTH MUSSELS 175,000 1,125 14,000 2007 7 WEYMOUTH MUSSELS 175,000 1,300 14,000 2008 3 WEYMOUTH MUSSELS 75,000 75 7,500 2008 4 WEYMOUTH MUSSELS 400,000 475 40,000 2008 5 WEYMOUTH MUSSELS 350,000 825 35,000 2008 6 WEYMOUTH MUSSELS 350,000 1,175 35,000 2008 7 WEYMOUTH MUSSELS 175,000 1,350 17,500 2009 4 WEYMOUTH MUSSELS 450,000 450 36,000 2009 5 WEYMOUTH MUSSELS 75,000 525 6,000 2009 6 WEYMOUTH MUSSELS 200,000 725 16,000 2010 4 WEYMOUTH MUSSELS 225,000 225 18,000 2010 5 WEYMOUTH MUSSELS 425,000 650 34,000 2010 6 WEYMOUTH MUSSELS 260,000 910 20,800 2010 7 WEYMOUTH MUSSELS 200,000 1,110 16,000

TOTAL 33,671,798 - 2,960,831

2001-10 - 1,942.68 - AVERAGE

ANNEX IV

Photograph 1. Showing the mouth and underside of the dredge used to fish for Portland mussel seed.

Photograph 2. Showing the tops of two dredges side-by-side.