Welcome

This is the fourteenth edition of our newsletter, which will keep you up to date on the latest developments as we implement the first Welsh National Marine Plan (WNMP). We published and adopted the WNMP on 12 November 2019. As we implement the plan with decision makers we want to hear your views so please get in touch with us or share this newsletter with your networks. For those new to the newsletter you can find our old editions here. Contact details are at the bottom of the newsletter.

Further plan documents published

In January we published two further documents to support plan implementation.

Monitoring and reporting framework

The M&R framework outlines the strategic approach that Welsh Government, as the marine planning authority for Wales, will follow to develop indicators for monitoring the implementation of a plan-led system for Welsh waters. Details set out in the document are provisional and will be developed in partnership with key decision makers and wider stakeholders.

Update to Wales marine evidence report (WMER)

The Wales marine evidence report (WMER) was published in 2015 and provided an overview of the current state, use and potential of our marine environment. We’ve now published an update to this document which is the first full review of changes to the evidence base since 2015. This updated document has been structured to closely follow the scope and structure of the WNMP.

Funding to develop projects around the Irish Sea Brexit Minister, Jeremy Miles has announced funding of more than €6 million for three new projects aimed at strengthening ties between Wales and Ireland. The European Territorial Co-operation programme will address areas of shared interest such as climate change, technological research, sustainable development and tourism. The projects will focus on coastal and freshwater pollution, eco-tourism for coastal communities on the Llŷn peninsula, Wales and Iveragh peninsula, Ireland and studying the population and habitat of two species of water bird to better understand how climate change will affect coastal communities on each side of the Irish Sea. Read more

Irish Sea Maritime Forum Earlier this month our Marine Planning

Stakeholder Manager attended the Irish Sea Maritime Forum in Glasgow. The forum comprises Welsh, Scottish, Northern Irish, Irish and Isle of Man Governments, the Marine Management Organisation and Universities who are all delivering maritime projects in the Irish Sea. Hosted by Clyde Marine Planning Partnership, attendees gave updates on their Maritime spatial plans and other projects taking place in the Irish Sea. Whilst in Glasgow we were given a talk by the Clyde Marine Planning Partnership on the regional plan they are developing and a tour of developments on the Clyde by Glasgow City Council.