Marine experts from across the UK gathered in Cardiff today for a meeting to address some of the biggest issues that face Wales’ seas.
Representatives from the Welsh Government, Welsh fishing industry, third sector organisations, the scientific community, local authorities and recreational groups all came along to join forces in tackling the many challenges facing the marine environment.
At the meeting people worked together on developing innovative initiatives designed to improve the health of the seas around Wales and further.
The meeting was held as part of the WWF-led Celtic Seas Partnership project, based at WWF Cymru in Cardiff. The 4 year life+ funded project is designed to bring about sustainable management of the Celtic Seas, allowing its exceptional biodiversity and natural habitats to recover.
Dan Crook, Stakeholder Engagement Officer at WWF Cymru, said:
“As our marine economy is growing, the competition for space in our seas is putting added pressure on the marine environment. Pressures like pollution, over-exploitation and climate change are all having a destructive impact on critical marine habitats and biodiversity.
“If we’re going to tackle these threats properly, we are all going to have to work together.
Bringing sea-users together with governments and scientists is crucial for generating innovative ways of working that will protect both people’s livelihoods and the environment.”
The aim of the project is to help the countries within the Celtic Seas achieve Good Environmental Status under the EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive – a directive that was introduced to protect Europe’s seas.
Welsh Fishermen’s Association (WFA) chairman Jim Evans, said:
“The WFA are pleased to be taking part in the Celtic Seas Partnership Project. We believe that the future challenges of meeting the requirements of Good Environmental Status can only be realised through collaborative working. Establishing inclusive and informed partnerships will be a central feature in our view.”
“According to Welsh Government statistics,70% of the Welsh population live within the coastal strip, this area contributes £2.5b to Welsh GDP and sustains the employment of 96,000 jobs. This emphasises the importance socially and economically of the marine area to the coastal communities in Wales.”
“Clearly there is a wide diversity of marine interest groups that will wish to contribute to this process and we believe that partnerships are a key means of facilitating wider engagement.
“We congratulate WWF on the Celtic Seas Partnership initiative and look forward to contributing to the project.”
The workshop in Wales is part of a series of six taking place across the Celtic Seas this summer. At the end of the workshops the project hopes to have a number of smaller projects looking at specific initiatives that can help bring about the sustainable management of the Celtic Seas, safeguarding the environment and people’s livelihoods.
For further information visit the Celtic Seas Partnership project website www.celticseaspartnership.eu.
