Written question WQ83441
- Asked by
- Paul DaviesConservative
- To be answered by
- Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd
- Tabled
- Due
- Answered
- Time to answer
- 9 days
Question
What measures will the Welsh Government take to ensure sensitive species by-catch in Welsh waters is minimised and where possible eliminated?
Answer
Answered by Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd
Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in Wales cover approximately 50% of the Welsh marine zone and play a key role in protecting some of our most sensitive species. Additional management measures can be used to regulate activities such as fishing where a risk is highlighted to the designated ‘feature’ species.
The status of the MPA network is assessed through ‘indicative condition assessments’ based on available data. Where designated ‘features’ species are not in a ‘favourable’ condition, additional management measures may be considered.
Wales is supporting the UK approach to combine the cetacean and seabird bycatch plans into one UK Bycatch Mitigation Initiative (BMI). The BMI will describe and implement practical and effective methods to improve monitoring and mitigation of sensitive species in UK waters. This will also align with our objective under the Fisheries Act to avoid or reduce bycatch under the ecosystem component.