Will the Minister provide an update on the assessing Welsh fishing activities project?
We continue to work with Natural Resources Wales on an evaluation of potential fishing gear interactions with Welsh Marine Protected Area features, referred to as the Assessing Welsh Fishing Activities project.
To date, 130 assessments have been completed on all 40 high-risk interactions, as well as 81 medium-risk interactions between potting/bottom towed gear and benthic habitats, and 9 assessments on netting interactions with marine mammals. Work continues of the remaining medium-risk assessments.
The potting assessments produced have been used in the Whelk Permit (Wales) Order 2021 Habitats Regulations Assessment. It is expected the last of the towed gear assessments will be completed summer 2022, after which it is anticipated proposals for any management measures will form part of a public consultation. The timescale will be determined alongside other Welsh Government priorities.