This is the fifteenth 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.

This week we published the Implementation Guidance (IG) which guides the practical application of the Welsh National Marine Plan. It provides further detail on WNMP policies to help ensure effective and consistent implementation. The document provides information on relevant consenting requirements, governance, other legislation and definitions of terms used within the WNMP as well as specific guidance relevant to each WNMP policy.

Engagement  Throughout lockdown we have continued to engage with our key stakeholder groups through virtual webinars. The Marine Planning Decision Maker’s Group comprising Relevant Public Authorities (RPA) who have to use the WNMP in their decision making met on 19 February. The group discussed plan implementation, monitoring and RPA duties. A summary of the meeting can be found here.

The Marine Planning Stakeholder Reference Group acts as a ‘critical friend’ throughout the marine planning process and advises us on approaches to marine planning. This group has met twice since lockdown to look at the spatial approach to planning, cross border engagement and implementation. A summary of the meetings on the 29 April and 28 May are on our website via the hyperlinks.

The next meetings of both groups will take place in July.

The Marine Area Statement is here! The Marine Area Statements NRW have now launched their Area Statements which they have created with local partners to help deliver sustainable management of natural resources at a place-based level and to facilitate the Natural Resources Policy priorities. There are 7 Area Statements covering the territory of Wales.