Wales Coasts and Seas Partnership (CaSP Cymru): 13 February 2025

David Tudor: CaSP Chair
Jon Parker: Aquaculture Industry Wales
Emma McKinley, Cardiff University
John Wrottesley, ESCA
Gareth Cunningham: Marine Conservation Society 
Kirsty Lindenbaum: Natural Resources Wales
Rhian Jardine: Natural Resources Wales
Tim Brew: Pembrokeshire Coastal Forum
Jetske Germing: Pembrokeshire Coastal Forum and Marine Evidence Wales
Leanne Cullen-Unsworth: Project Seagrass
Alys Morris: Severn Estuary Partnership
David Jones: The Crown Estate / Regional Skills Partnership
Molly Fairclough: Glamorgan Coastal Forum
Alice Teague: Welsh Government
Caryn Le Roux: Welsh Government
Mark Bloomfield: Welsh Government
Samuel Dorrington: Welsh Government

Ellie Lewis: Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water
Andrew Schofield: Evidence Platform Wales
Michel Regelous: Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority
Phil Horton: RYA
Helen Duggan: Seafish
Jennifer Godwin: SUDG
Nicole Esteban: Swansea University
Caroline Price: The Crown Estate
Phil Turner: The Crown Estate
Bethan Mathias-Williams: Wildlife Trusts Wales
Reece Halstead: North Wales Wildlife Trust  (NRW)
Bethan Thomas: WWF Cymru
Amanda Wilson: Welsh Government 
Elen King: Welsh Government
Laura Parry: Welsh Government 
Rose Malleson: Welsh Government
Victoria Paris: Welsh Government
Chris Roderick: Welsh Government 
Leanne Llewellyn: Welsh Government 
Rachel Griffiths: Welsh Government
Jennifer Welsh: Welsh Government

Cathy Hall: Associated British Ports
Ryan Knowles: Natural Resources Wales

Overview from the Chair since last meeting:

David Tudor (DT) noted that he has been invited to join the First Minister’s Offshore Wind Task and Finish Group on behalf of CaSP. This group will focus on supply chains and ports. They have a report due to be finished in late spring, and DT will provide updates to the partnership at regular intervals.

There was good representation from CaSP at the Costal Futures conference and there was positive feedback for all who presented, including Ocean Literacy representatives, and those from Hiraeth Yn Y Môr.

Actions from last meeting:

Caryn Le Roux (CLR) provided a summary of updates on actions from the last partnership meeting on 10 October 2024. 

Kirsty Lindenbaum (KL) is still seeking representatives for a small steering group relating to upcoming work on NRWs ‘Ecological Enhancement Opportunities Mapping.’

The notes of the previous meeting were agreed. These will be condensed before being translated and uploaded to the CaSP website. 

CaSP website development

Samuel Dorrington (SD) provided an update on the development of a new CaSP website which is progressing; an early draft has been reviewed by the Management group, with initial content being collated and developed in parallel.

The secretariat has also created a new mailbox for all CaSP related matters: walescoastsandseaspartnership@gov.wales

Delivery plan update

CLR noted the delivery plan has been updated to reflect the feedback provided by the Deputy First Minister at the last meeting. More specific deliverables, outcomes and success measures have been set for each of the three key themes, and the various milestones will be reviewed and updated accordingly.

This will be circulated to members for comment following the meeting, and once finalised, will be shared again with the Deputy First Minister. 

The Annual Highlight report for 2023-24 has also been finalised and is currently being translated, ready for publication. This was shared with the Deputy First Minister prior to last October’s meeting.

Membership update

The existing membership of the partnership is regularly reviewed, and a new process for new members to join is currently being developed. 

There was discussion around broadening the diversity and reach of the partnership, including the potential to invite a young people’s representative, flagging the importance of including the next generation. Concerns were raised regarding challenges in terms of a young person attending lengthy partnership meetings – most of which would not be relevant to them, though it was believed that there is the potential to engage with young people more effectively. 

It was suggested that the partnership could potentially link with universities to provide opportunities to shadow partnership members or to apply for internship programmes. 

There was also discussion of broadening the diversity of the group in terms of Welsh Government’s anti-racism agenda. KL suggested inviting people who could represent some wider networks with an interest, though these would need to be relevant to this group.

A number of networks were suggested, including the Wales Ecology and Evolution Network, though it was agreed these would need to be fully considered prior to the secretariat approaching them seeking representation.

There was general agreement that shadowing opportunities for younger people would be helpful, though these could be problematic to arrange individually. Could the secretariat facilitate this? Offering opportunities to the various sectors that the partnership represents?

DT agreed this would be worth exploring.

Actions

Secretariat to continue the development of the new CaSP website, co-ordinating with partners re: logos and the most appropriate webpages these should link to.

Secretariat to share updated Delivery Plan for comment before finalising.

Chair/secretariat to explore the potential to broaden the diversity of the core partnership, to take this action forward through the Coastal Capacity Building Working Group.

Members to provide details of any related fora including youth representation or underrepresented groups/minorities to aid in identifying suitable/appropriate candidates. 

Ocean Literacy (Kirsty Lindenbaum, NRW) 

Y Môr a Ni

The Ocean Literacy Strategy ‘Y Môr a Ni’ was officially launched on 8th January.

Since then, there have been numerous blog posts and KL thanked everyone who had contributed to the successful communications campaign. (#YMoraNi)

KL emphasised that the comms campaign will continue throughout this calendar year, with tie-in events also taking place throughout. KL also asked members to continue using the established hashtags to highlight coastal issues. 

KL also noted various updates

Emma McKinley led a great session at Coastal Futures and KL congratulated Ffion Mitchell-Langford who was awarded the Bob Earll Award for early career impact on ocean and coastal management. 

The Ocean Literacy co-ordinator role has now been extended through to the end of 2025.

An ocean literacy animation is being produced and will be shared with the group once finalised. 

The text for the ocean literacy section of the new CaSP website is currently being prepared.

The Ocean Literacy steering group will continue to meet every three weeks and an in person meeting is planned for 8th May for the Welsh Ocean Literacy Coalition, focussed on drafting a bid to the National Lottery Heritage Fund to deliver Y Môr a Ni.

Festivals of the Sea

Reece Halstead (RH) provided details of the two Festival of the Sea events to take place in March; 

The first event will be taking place in Milford Haven on Saturday 8th and Sunday 9th March.

Planned activities include stalls, workshops, and community engagement sessions, and the nearby Torch theatre has been hired for the Sunday to host an exhibition and a Pembrokeshire Coastal Forum ‘living coast’ event in the evening.

Cross Party Group (CPG)

Gareth Cunningham (GC) noted that the Marine Conservation Society (MCS) have been looking into setting up a CPG for marine to engage with Senedd members, for which they would provide the Secretariat. It was noted that there has not been much engagement with the Fisheries CPG compared with the All Party Parliamentary Groups in England and Scotland but that those are well resourced by the Company of Fishmongers. They are also considering the role of sector champions similar to the species champion roles that some MSs have. 

Actions

Members to promote Y Môr a Ni as widely as possible, including established hashtags.

RH to proceed with arrangements for ‘Festival of the Sea’ events in Milford Haven and Flint, and to share promotional material with the group. 

RH to link up with Jon Parker, Aquaculture Industry, and Helen Duggan, Seafish, to increase fisheries/aquaculture representation at the events

MCS to continue to develop thinking around a Cross Party Group for marine.

Blue Investment (Gareth Cunningham, MCS)

MARINE Fund Cymru

A MARINE Fund Manager has now been appointed, who will be starting in post on 17 March.

Progress has been made on finalising terms of reference and legal advice.

GC continuing to meet with potential donors.

There was discussion of the UK Energy Act Marine Recovery Fund (MRF) and how this is different from the MARINE Fund Cymru. The MRF is a statutory vehicle for strategic compensation for marine developments, and will be consulted on later this spring.

It was noted that an FAQ document for the MARINE Fund may be helpful.

Actions

New fund manager to pursue opportunities to secure external funding.

To meet with potential investors to discuss updates and opportunities.

To discuss the differences between the MRF and the MARINE Fund at the next Blue Investment Working Group meeting and create a briefing document to set these out. 

Marine Biodiversity Expert Group (Kirsty Lindenbaum, NRW)

The last meeting of the group took place on 13 January and focussed on marine biodiversity targets and the Seabird Conservation Strategy.

The next meeting on April 6th will discuss European projects and restoration work.

Progressing Themes - Capacity Building (David Tudor)

Coastal Capacity Building activity and resourcing (Caryn Le Roux)

CLR provided a summary of the last working group in December, where there was discussion of the proposed research project to increase coastal capacity and governance.  

It has been confirmed that the existing Coastal Capacity Building Fund (CCBF), while likely to continue, will have a focus on benefitting fisheries and aquaculture in the next round, due to changes in the funding structure. 

CLR presented the current thinking around some additional funding to support coastal capacity building for the marine sector to complement the CCBF, particularly looking at coastal partnership officers or co-ordinators.    

There was a discussion of where and how any further funding could be focussed.  There was support for building on established approaches rather than attempting to start new projects with a smaller fund. 

There was also some discussion of the use of the animateur service now being provided through the Welsh Marine and Fisheries Scheme.

This potential further funding will be discussed further at the next CCB working group on 18th March.

Actions

CLR to continue to work up the proposal for CCB funding for marine.

Overview of the Freeport programme 

The Freeport programme is designed to create special economic zones with different customs rules, tax benefits, and simplified planning processes to stimulate economic activity. The Celtic Freeport is one of the key projects under this programme, aimed at boosting economic growth and job creation in the region.

Key features of the Celtic Freeport 

The Freeport includes designated Tax Sites and Customs Sites where businesses can benefit from tax incentives and simplified customs procedures. There is significant investment in infrastructure to support the Freeport, including transport links, digital connectivity, and energy supply. The programme also focuses on fostering innovation and developing skills in key sectors such as marine energy, advanced manufacturing, and logistics.

Economic and job creation opportunities

The Freeport is expected to attract significant investment, leading to the creation of new jobs and business opportunities. There is an emphasis on the potential for the Freeport to drive economic regeneration in the region, particularly in coastal and port areas.

Environmental and sustainability goals 

There is a commitment to ensuring that the development of the Freeport aligns with environmental and sustainability goals. Initiatives to promote green technologies and sustainable practices within the Freeport are being implemented.

Next steps 

The next steps involve continued engagement with stakeholders to refine and implement the Freeport plans. Ongoing efforts to secure funding and investment for the project are crucial. Detailed plans for the infrastructure and operational aspects of the Freeport will be developed.

Purpose of the toolkit 

The toolkit is designed to facilitate community engagement and raise awareness about marine energy projects in Wales. It aims to support stakeholders in effectively communicating the benefits and opportunities of marine energy to local communities.

Key components 

The toolkit includes educational materials to inform the public about marine energy, covering different types of marine renewable energy (e.g., tidal, wave, and offshore wind) and their benefits. It also provides engagement strategies with guidelines and best practices for community involvement, such as organising events, workshops, and public consultations. Communication tools, including templates and materials for creating effective campaigns like social media posts, newsletters, and informational brochures, are also part of the toolkit. Additionally, it features case studies of successful marine energy projects and community engagement initiatives to offer inspiration and practical insights.

Implementation

The toolkit is being distributed to stakeholders, including local authorities, community groups, and marine energy developers. Training sessions and workshops are being organised to help stakeholders use the toolkit effectively. Ongoing support and updates will be provided to ensure the toolkit remains relevant and useful.

Success stories 

Tim Brew highlighted several successful engagement events and social media campaigns that have already been conducted using the toolkit. These initiatives have helped to increase public awareness and support for marine energy projects in Wales.

Marine Regulatory and Approaches Team 

The introduction of the new team is focused on improving marine regulatory processes, with an emphasis on enhancing efficiency and effectiveness in marine licensing.

Key findings from the review 

The review identified bottlenecks and inefficiencies in the current marine licensing process, highlighting the need for a more streamlined and user-friendly approach to licensing.

Digital transformation 

Plans are in place to implement digital solutions to modernise the marine licensing process. This includes the development of an online portal to facilitate easier submission and tracking of license applications, and the use of digital tools to improve data management and decision-making.

Process improvements

New procedures are being introduced to reduce processing times and improve transparency. There is a focus on better communication and collaboration with stakeholders, as well as the implementation of training and competency frameworks for staff to ensure high standards in licensing.

Next steps

The next steps involve the continued development and rollout of digital tools and process improvements. Ongoing engagement with stakeholders will be essential to gather feedback and refine the licensing process. Monitoring and evaluation of the new approaches will ensure they meet the desired outcomes.

Overview of Draft National Seagrass Action Plan (Leanne Cullen-Unsworth, Project Seagrass)

Draft National Seagrass Action Plan 

The plan aims to conserve and restore seagrass ecosystems in the UK. It focuses on improving societal and legal recognition and protection of seagrass ecosystems, with an emphasis on community engagement and the role of local ecological knowledge in conservation efforts.

Key initiatives 

Mapping and monitoring seagrass meadows to better understand their distribution and condition is a key initiative. Promoting sustainable human activities that depend on or occur within seagrass ecosystems is also crucial. Facilitating scientific research and sharing results to support conservation and restoration actions is another important initiative.

Next steps 

The next steps include finalising the Draft National Seagrass Action Plan, implementing strategies to protect and restore seagrass meadows, and engaging with communities and stakeholders to raise awareness and support for seagrass conservation.

Homepage - Project Seagrass
Our Strategy - Project Seagrass

Environmental Governance and Biodiversity Targets update (Rose Malleson, WG)

Global biodiversity framework 

Emphasis was placed on the importance of the global biodiversity framework in guiding conservation efforts. The discussion focused on the targets set within the framework, particularly those related to ecosystem restoration and pollution reduction.

Ecosystem restoration 

The need for comprehensive strategies to restore degraded ecosystems was highlighted. Specific initiatives and projects aimed at ecosystem restoration were mentioned.

Pollution reduction 

The critical issue of pollution and its impact on biodiversity was addressed. Measures and policies being implemented to reduce pollution and protect natural habitats were discussed.

Biodiversity targets 

Detailed the specific biodiversity targets that need to be achieved to ensure sustainable ecosystems. The role of collaboration and partnerships in meeting these targets was emphasised.

Offshore Wind Environmental Improvement Package (Alice Teague, WG)

The Energy Act (2023) grants powers to enable strategic compensation, make environmental assessment regulations, and establish marine recovery funds. These powers are held by either the Secretary of State (SoS) or Welsh Ministers (WM), depending on the project scale (above 350MW or not) in inshore and offshore areas. The UK Government plans to consult on the environmental assessment of offshore wind Statutory Instrument (SI) in Spring 2025, which will affect Welsh waters for projects exceeding 350MW. Initial guidance for the Marine Recovery Fund (MRF) has been issued, with full implementation expected by Autumn 2025.

Marine Recovery Fund (MRF) 

The MRF will enable developers to secure pre-agreed strategic compensation measures, as necessary. These strategic compensatory measures will be agreed upon by the SoS and WM (for projects consented by WM) and included in a Library of Measures. The Committee on Offshore Wind Strategic Compensation (COWSC) is developing these measures and implementation plans. To date, the SoS has agreed on three measures: predator reduction, artificial nesting structures, and Marine Protected Area (MPA) designation or boundary changes.

Offshore Wind Environmental Standards (OWES)

OWES would apply to projects exceeding 350MW and will be given effect through the UK National Policy Statement. The Welsh Government is supportive of the OWES concept, subject to evidence of benefit and stakeholder support. Recent highlights from Defra include the use of MPAs as strategic compensation and action on marine noise, with a joint UXO position statement and policy position. The Welsh Government is considering the merits of a similar policy.

Welsh specific action

An end-to-end review of marine licensing is underway, with input from Natural Resources Wales (NRW) on actions being taken. Strategic Resource Area (SRA) mapping is being conducted. An independent review of marine planning approaches is expected to report by the end of the fiscal year. A spatial stocktake of Welsh seas is planned to update the understanding of natural resources, constraints, opportunities, and potential future scenarios. Collaboration with Defra and The Crown Estate (TCE) is ongoing, including initiatives like Whole of Seabed and the Strategic Seabed Environmental Planning (SSEP).

• 19th June 2025: South coast – potential for field visit
• 9th October 2025: Cathays Park, Cardiff

Secretariat to continue the development of the new CaSP website, co-ordinating with partners re: logos and the most appropriate webpages these should link to.

Secretariat to share updated Delivery Plan for comment before finalising.

Chair/secretariat to explore the potential to broaden the diversity of the core partnership, to take this action forward through the Coastal Capacity Building Working Group.

Members to provide details of any related fora including youth representation or underrepresented groups/minorities to aid in identifying suitable/appropriate candidates. Members to promote Y Môr a Ni as widely as possible, including established hashtags.

Reece Halstead to proceed with arrangements for ‘Festival of the Sea’ events in Milford Haven and Flint, and to share promotional material with the group. 

Reece Halstead to link up with Jon Parker, Aquaculture Industry, and Helen Duggan, Seafish, to increase fisheries/aquaculture representation at the events

MCS to continue to develop thinking around a Cross Party Group for marine.

The new Marine Fund Manager to pursue opportunities to secure external funding.

The new Marine Fund Manager to meet with potential investors to discuss updates and opportunities.

Members will discuss the differences between the MRF and the MARINE Fund at the next Blue Investment Working Group meeting and create a briefing document to set these out. 

Caryn Le Roux to continue to work up the proposal for CCB funding for marine.