Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 6:02 pm on 14 February 2017.
I would echo that; I think that we need fast progress on that. But what isn’t disputed is that climate change is one of the biggest threats to marine biodiversity in any event. So, I think that's the broader context for that discussion.
But the lagoon is a manifestation of a much broader opportunity, which is to turn Wales’s most abundant natural resource into an economic asset and to grow our blue economy. The Welsh Government will be consulting, as the Cabinet Secretary said, on a new marine plan this year, and I would like to see that plan signal a full commitment to this sector, in all its guises—we’re talking about marine today, but there's also sport, aquaculture and other opportunities, £2.1 billion-worth of economic value and tens of thousands of jobs before we start making any real headway in the area of renewables. But we need to grasp this chance.
I would like to see an ambitious marketing strategy showcasing this sector to the world, and we could start by hosting an international summit of potential purchasers of lagoon technology in the Swansea bay area. I would like to see stretching but deliverable targets from energy from offshore and marine renewables over a realistic time frame. I'd like to see the new national infrastructure commission being tasked with an early assessment of the infrastructure needs of the blue economy. And to echo the point that Lee Waters was making, we need a fast, transparent and fit-for-purpose consenting regime. There is evidence, which came through the consultation the Welsh Government conducted at the end of last year into the fees and charges, that there are concerns around timescales being a major, potential cause of competitive disadvantage. So, certainty and transparency in this area are vital.
I also want to see the Welsh Government pressing the UK Government to make good on any shortfall in EU funding for the marine sector as a result of leaving the EU, and to make sure that the Brexit process does not involve any reversal of the Welsh Government’s devolved competences in marine policy. The tidal lagoon—indeed, the blue economy—is a major opportunity for Wales. So, let's not miss the boat.