Following DEFRA’s recent commitments towards trialling highly protected marine areas in England, will the Minister confirm that similar plans are being developed for Wales and what the implementation timeframe is for this?
Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in Wales cover 50% of our waters and offer varying levels of protection to those habitats and species within the sites. Our approach is to ensure the right level of protection is offered to those habitat and species which require it.
Welsh Government is working with Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) and Natural Resources Wales (NRW) to consider further sites in Wales for the potential designation as Marine Conservation Zone(s) (MCZ), in addition to the site at Skomer Island.
MCZs can offer a significant level of protection to a variety of habitats and species within the site. At present, our MCZ work in Wales is key towards delivering our commitment of an ecologically coherent, well-managed network of MPAs.