The Welsh Government, as the marine planning authority, has produced an aquaculture Sector Locational Guidance (SLG), implementing Welsh National Marine Plan (WNMP) sector supporting policy AQU 01b (Aquaculture (supporting)), which encourages a collaborative approach to understanding opportunities for the sustainable development of the sector.

This document represents an ongoing process. It builds on initial work undertaken by Atkins, Venn Associates and Pembrokeshire Coastal Forum, carried out in collaboration with industry representatives, regulators, and environmental specialists, through a series of stakeholder engagement events.

This version of the SLG describes the resources relevant to the sector’s future prospects, how it may interact spatially with other sectors and also wider social and ecological considerations. It is intended this SLG will support the sustainable development of the sector, informing identification of future opportunities. It will do this by helping guide the industry in their planning for future development (including through signposting to areas of potential consenting complexities), and through promoting engagement and dialogue within and between sectors. Over time, SLG will feed into marine planning, including the potential identification of Strategic Resource Areas to safeguard areas of aquaculture resource. Welsh Government is committed to engaging with stakeholders to further develop this SLG.

The purpose of the Sector Locational Guidance is to support characterisation of areas in Wales where there is good potential for aquaculture projects to prosper. Bringing together technical and environmental knowledge with information on key social, cultural and economic issues, and using this to understand future potential opportunities, can support and enable the sustainable development of the sector.

This SLG provides a relevant evidence base for aquaculture developers interested in operating in Welsh waters, highlighting key considerations and issues that may need to be addressed during project development and licensing processes. It will also inform the ongoing marine planning process. In order to support potential co-existence of multiple uses, this SLG also considers where opportunities may exist for the co-location of aquaculture with other marine activities, where potentially beneficial and practical.

The full document published by the Welsh Government can be read here.