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This is the twentieth edition of our newsletter, which will keep you up to date on the latest developments as we implement the first Welsh National Marine Plan (WNMP). We published and adopted the WNMP on 12 November 2019. As we implement the plan with decision makers we want to hear your views so please get in touch with us or share this newsletter with your networks. For those new to the newsletter you can find our old editions here. Contact details are at the bottom of the newsletter.
Following the most recent elections in Wales we now have new Ministers in charge of the Marine portfolio. Climate change, new green jobs and recovery from the pandemic will be at the heart of the new Welsh Labour Government, as First Minister Mark Drakeford reveals his new Cabinet team. The new climate change ministry will bring together the environment, energy, housing, planning and transport portfolios, led by Julie James. |
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Lee Waters becomes Deputy Minister for Climate Change. Marine planning falls within the portfolio of Julie James and Lee Waters (Minister and Deputy Minister for Climate Change) and Rural Affairs (including Fisheries) remains with our previous Minister Lesley Griffiths, Minister for Rural Affairs, North Wales and Trefnydd. See the full list of Ministerial portfolios here. |
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Severn Estuary Forum
On 25-27 May the Severn Estuary Partnership held their annual forum and a celebration of the 25 year anniversary of the establishment of the partnership. The forum brought together an audience of stakeholders from around the estuary for three days of presentations and discussion sessions on the themes of ‘climate change, adaptation and community’, ‘planning, governance and flood risk’, and ‘a changing landscape’. |
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The marine planning team provided an update on marine planning implementation in Wales, and delivered a joint presentation with the MMO on marine planning in a cross-border context and the importance of collaboration and co-ordination in estuary areas. Find out more about the Severn Estuary Partnership here.
ICES working group
The marine planning team attended the International Council for the Exploration of the Seas (ICES) Working Group on Marine Planning and Coastal Zone Management which was held virtually in April this year. It was attended by representatives from Scotland, Ireland, and the UK Government as well as many other countries across Europe, Canada and the USA. Attendees shared updates on marine planning in their countries and discussed lessons learned and future directions. |
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This year’s meeting focussed on transboundary collaboration, and the representation within the marine planning system of ecosystem restoration, climate change considerations, and coastal community impacts.
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We have produced a number of resources to help implement the Welsh National Marine Plan. In addition to the Implementation Guidance we have produced five recorded webinars to explain more about the Marine Planning process and how to apply the WNMP.
The five webinars cover:
- Overview of the Marine Planning process and Marine Planning in Wales;
- An overview of the WNMP content including its policies;
- WNMP technical content such as maps, sector locational guidance, RAs and SRAs;
- Implementing the WNMP;
- Monitoring and Reporting requirements
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We also have an overview of the WNMP, a standalone vision, policies document and FAQ. We will look to develop further products to meet stakeholder needs over time, so if you think there is anything further about the Marine Planning process you want to understand more about, please get in touch with the team via the mailbox.
The Small Scale Coastal Infrastructure Scheme (SSCIS) is open to applications from all Port Authorities and Local Authorities who own ports and harbours across Wales. The scheme covers capital investments in port and harbour infrastructure which deliver benefits to improve the overall performance, sustainability, safety and well-being of the Welsh Marine and Fishing industries as well as the general public enjoying the use of these facilities and the surrounding areas. |
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The grant provides up to 100% towards capital investments in equipment and machinery from a pre-identified list to support Marine users to address environmental, operational, safety and security issues, the maximum grant award per harbour/port is up to £100,000.
Expressions of interest need to be submitted to RPW by the 11 June, if successful applicants will be given eight weeks from the date of selection to submit their full application and supporting documents via their RPW Online account. Find out more here.
Contact us
For any queries, relating to this bulletin, or anything else please get in touch with us via the mailbox or visit our webpages.
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