Will the Minister provide an update on what the Welsh Government is doing to protect the Atlantic puffin?
Atlantic Puffin are found all over the Welsh coastline and are afforded protection through the relevant Conservation of Habitats Regulations which covers the Welsh Marine Protected Area (MPA) network.
Skomer and Skokholm contain one of the largest colonies of Puffins and is covered by a Special Protected Area (SPA), a type of MPA, which protects them from consented activities, where impacts cannot be avoided. Additional protection extends to colonies found in the Skerries Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and indirect protection from other sites where management of other species benefits puffins.
The State of Natural Resources Report (SoNaRR, 2020) concludes puffin populations in Wales have risen by 163%, predominantly with increases found within the Skomer and Skokholm SPA.