2. Will the Cabinet Secretary make a statement on the impact of Brexit on the Welsh fishing industry? OAQ(5)0097(ERA)

Thank you. The UK’s future exit from the European Union raises many questions and uncertainties for the future of Wales’s fishing industry. To help safeguard the prosperity of the industry and our coastal communities, my department will be developing a forward-looking fisheries policy, as set out in the ‘Securing Wales’ Future’ White Paper.

I’m delighted with the answer that the Cabinet Secretary has provided. Does she accept that the opportunities that will be available for Welsh fishermen and women will be very significant, that the last 43 years have seen a plundering of our seas through the common fisheries policy, the devastation of fish stocks, which have taken many, many years to begin to correct, and that by taking back control of the coastal waters and further regions of the sea, we have the opportunity not only to develop a massive economic resource for Wales, but also to improve conservation in Welsh waters?

I think it’s a little too early to assume Brexit will be as positive as the Member portrays for the fishing industry overall. But I absolutely accept—and I’ve said many times—that, while leaving the EU poses many risks and challenges, there are opportunities going forward. I think market access is absolutely critical, and, as I said, we will have a common fisheries policy going forward—a very Welsh-specific fishing policy—to replace the common fisheries policy. But I do think we need to look at the basic principles of how we do manage our fisheries in Wales. I think there needs to be more flexibility and also adaptable management regimes, going forward.

I hope you wouldn’t listen to the kings Canute at the other end of the Chamber, who believe that they can manage our seas. There is an important fishery in Wales, which is the shellfish fishery, which is extremely important. What are the possibilities as we look at scallop fishing, for example, and mussels of course, to open fisheries that could be certified under a Marine Stewardship Council scheme in order to promote this industry in Wales? Could you develop that side of things so that we can have sustainable fisheries as we leave the European Union?

Thank you. Well, I hope, in my answer to Neil Hamilton, you accepted that I said I think the presumption that it’s going to be a very positive thing is a little early. But, you know, as I said, there are opportunities, and I think we do need that more flexible approach. You mention specifically scallops and mussels, and how we move forward, particularly in relation to seafood. I’m going out to our local seafood expo in Brussels in April, because I think there is a lot we can do for the fisheries industry, which, maybe, have been hampered at times, and it’s about getting that more flexible approach. But I go back to what I was saying: market access is absolutely critical.

Along the same lines, Cabinet Secretary, you know how vulnerable the Gower cockle industry is because of early stock deaths in the Burry estuary. Perhaps the great repeal Bill will safeguard this industry by retaining the shellfish regulations of the European Union, but it won’t actually protect shellfish markets within the European Union at the moment. So, how is the Welsh Government promoting our shellfish within the European Union in order to ensure that our produce will be the first choice, with tariffs or without?

Well, I mentioned in my answer to Simon Thomas that I’m going out to the seafood expo in Brussels. I’ve given funding for that. I think it’s very important that I personally go out there, to make sure everybody knows about our great Welsh seafood industry. We’ve also had the seafood strategy, which I helped launch with the industry about three or four months ago.