In August 2017, the Climate Change, Environment and Rural Affairs Committee published its report, Turning the tide?  Report of the inquiry into the Welsh Government’s approach to Marine Protected Area management. The report made a number of recommendations about the need to increase resources for MPA management; establish a marine science partnership; increase awareness of the role of MPAs; and create an enforcement strategy based on risk.

In September 2018, the Welsh Government published an MPA Network Management Framework for Wales 2018-2023 and an MPA Network Management Action Plan for Wales 2018-2019.

The Committee was keen to assess the progress made by the Welsh Government in taking forward the recommendations in its report, and in delivering MPA Network Management Action Plan 2018-19.

Evidence gathering

The Committee received written evidence from stakeholders and these have been published.

The Committee held evidence sessions with stakeholders to inform its work on 22 May 2019 and 6 June 2019.

Report

The Committee published (PDF 1MB) its report on The Welsh Government’s progress on Marine Protected Area management on 14 November 2019.  The Welsh Government responded (PDF 579KB) on 8 January 2020.

Consultation

Follow up work on Marine Protected Area management in Wales (completed)