What steps has the Welsh Government taken to review the Environment (Wales) Act 2016 with a view to replace the section 158 definition with one that recognises the Welsh Government’s responsibility for nature conservation throughout the Welsh 200 nautical mile zone?
Welsh Government have reviewed the Environment (Wales) Act 2016 and are aware of the disparity between section 158 and the executive powers which are granted to Welsh Ministers out to 200 nautical miles. The legislative programme has been published for this year but we will look for an opportunity to amend the legislation in subsequent years. In the meantime we continue to undertake nature based conservation throughout the entire 200 nautical mile zone, through our Marine Protected Area network management and network completion programmes.