I've obviously met with many of the organisations that have made the comments. So, I do think that they're perhaps being slightly disingenuous. However, we are in a consultation period. It's a very long consultation period. I made sure that was the case, particularly being over Christmas, so they can put their views in, and obviously we will consider all their views going forward.

So, to continue, we use our seas in many ways and long-established fisheries, shipping and recreational activities exist and thrive alongside newer uses such as offshore wind and underwater turbines, which may help us decarbonise our economy. However, as our seas get busier there is a greater risk of conflict and potential to undermine marine resilience. Therefore, strategic marine planning is critical. With effective planning, our maritime industries can grow and prosper whilst our precious natural heritage is safeguarded.

Last September, I set ambitious energy targets for Wales, including 70 per cent of our electricity consumption to be from renewable energy by 2030. I see offshore renewable energy having the potential to make an important contribution to meet this target. Offshore renewables could deliver a range of technologies to support the move towards sustainable, low-carbon generation in Wales.

To support the sustainable development of our seas for current and future generations, I'm pleased to have launched a formal consultation on the draft Welsh national marine plan. This is the first statutory plan for our seas and represents the beginning of a new strategic marine planning regime. It is important we have a clear, long-term view about what we are trying to achieve for our seas, particularly as the UK exits the European Union, because I believe it's vital to provide clarity and certainty for those who use and benefit from our seas. 

The marine plan builds on the strong progress we are already making in the stewardship of our seas, supporting our goal of delivering good environmental status, completing our network of marine protected areas, managing activities that may harm marine ecosystem resilience, supporting the recovery of our fish stocks and biodiversity, and ensuring we have a robust and effective consenting regime. 

Of course, there is more to do to maintain and improve the benefits we derive from healthy and thriving seas. I'm sure we've all been concerned by the recent news items on the devastating and far-reaching effects plastic pollution is having on our ecosystems. This shows how connected we are to our seas, not only culturally but in terms of how extensive and long-lasting impacts can be. 

We must continue to act in ways that recognise and demonstrate our commitment to being globally responsible for our actions. In terms of policy alignment, I'm committed to ensuring the national development framework and the land use planning system as a whole support the delivery of our marine objectives. By continuing to work with our stakeholders, we will ensure our national marine and land planning regimes work together to deliver their common goals.

The introduction of the plan represents an important step in bringing together a range of policies and organisations to help us focus on what matters, looking after our seas for the long term, recognising and tackling problems at an early stage, and working collaboratively to deliver real results. The draft plan I'm consulting upon has been developed in conjunction with a wide range of stakeholders. Industries, environmental groups, researchers and more have worked together to help develop the plan to guide future activity in a sustainable way.

In 2011, all four UK administrations devised a set of shared marine objectives. These were published in our 2011 marine policy statement. It is important to set objectives that respect the scale and interconnectedness of marine ecosystems. These shared objectives, together with our well-being goals and commitment to the sustainable management of natural resources, guide the plan's general policies, which apply to all activities in our seas. 

The potential for Wales to benefit from blue growth is both exciting and significant. By ensuring that different sea users consider each other's activities, as well as future potential, we can all benefit. The draft plan identifies that there is particular growth opportunity for a number of sectors: for offshore renewable energy such as offshore wind, underwater turbines and tidal lagoons; for aquaculture, particularly culture of shellfish; for shipping activity, which provides essential links into, from and through Wales; and, importantly, for tourism and recreational activities, which make an important contribution to our economy.

I recognise the significance of all sectors operating in Welsh waters. For example, marine aggregates provide essential building material to support economic growth. Fisheries allow us to enjoy healthy, locally sourced protein, and sub-sea cables allow vast quantities of data to flow through our homes and businesses and are, of course, essential to a modern economy. I'm sure Members will agree our seas need to be carefully managed to allow these diverse activities to continue and, where appropriate, grow alongside each other in harmony with our natural environment. 

The plan safeguards important natural resources to reduce the risk of losing the opportunity to use them in the future. To do so, the plan identifies such areas—strategic resource areas—and has policies to encourage sustainable sector growth. 

Public authority bodies play an important decision-making role in the marine environment, for example in assessing development proposals and granting marine licences. This plan supports them by setting out Welsh Government priorities to help guide their decisions, while in no way undermining the project-specific checks and balances in place to ensure each and every proposal is subject to appropriate scrutiny. I expect every individual project to meet the relevant statutory obligations before securing consent. 

Throughout the development of this plan, we have been committed to using the best available evidence and making this available to all. In Wales, we have a considerable marine evidence base summarised in the 2015 'Wales' Marine Evidence Report', and marine data is now publicly available on our online marine planning portal. This means stakeholders can use the portal to understand the reasons behind our proposals and what they may mean in practice.   

The marine environment is a complex and challenging workplace. Introducing a new marine planning regime represents an important investment in time and effort, not only from Welsh Government but from many stakeholders who've contributed their time and expertise to the process, and I wish to place on record my thanks for their ongoing support and enthusiasm. 

Welsh Government officials, with the support of Natural Resources Wales, Pembrokeshire coastal forum and others, will be holding a series of local events around the coast during this month, and I would encourage those interested in the future of our seas to go along and have their say. 

So, in summary, Presiding Officer, this is an important step for the future of Welsh seas, particularly as we begin Welsh Government's Year of the Sea. I want to ensure the Welsh national marine plan works for Wales. By acting together and clearly setting out and pursuing our ambition, we can all contribute to making the most of our seas.