The Welsh Government has a strategic role in managing MPAs. We cannot secure favourable conditions on our own, so we will continue to work with other management authorities across Wales through the MPA management steering group to provide leadership and, where necessary, support towards collective fulfilment of our roles and responsibilities. John Griffiths asked a question around what strategies we will be bringing forward, and we will be developing an MPA management framework and that will set out our strategic vision for a well-managed network.

Several Members mentioned funding, and, as part of my ongoing review of funding, right across my very broad portfolio, and aligning resources where the need is, I have made an additional allocation of funding to marine and fisheries of £0.5 million. I think it's important to work with my officials to see how we can use that to the best advantage, and, again, I want to work with the MPA management group in relation to this. It also will require, I'm sure, additional funding as we exit the EU, and, obviously, we need to continue with the assessments that we're making regarding the impact of leaving the EU.

Part of the additional funding will also build on our current programme of work to ensure our MPAs maintain and, where necessary, achieve, as I say, favourable condition. I've asked my department to work with NRW and the management steering group to consider how we can use that to have the most positive impact upon the condition of the network of the marine protected areas.

We need to continue to improve our understanding of the marine environment and how human activities interact with it, so we're working to enhance how we monitor to detect change and, where necessary, investigate cause and effect and scientific data to support and inform policy making and delivery.

Joyce Watson raised concerns around monitoring the environmental impacts, in particular around the scallop dredging in Cardigan bay, and I think that's an absolute best example of work that was undertaken. So, we had that two-year intensity study, which had been led by Bangor University, to inform the management of the scallop fishery in Cardigan bay, which, obviously, is a special area of conservation. That work was the first of its kind, and it's really been hailed as world-leading science. So, it's really important that we continue with that and we apply it to any new management measures.

So, I am continuing to look to invest in marine science in Wales. Looking ahead, we need to identify more opportunities to work with partners such as Bangor University to share those standards, to collect and collate evidence and data from a variety of sources and activities. The availability of robust data, evidence and research is absolutely vital to ensure effective management and sustainable use of our seas, and I'm very grateful for the ongoing participation of stakeholders in developing and delivering a marine and fisheries work programme in Wales.

The Wales marine advisory and action group brings together a broad range of strategic interest groups to ensure effective and meaningful engagement in relation to the delivery of all marine and fisheries work through collaborative working and co-production. Sub-groups are established where there is a need to focus on subject-specific issues. We established a marine planning stakeholder reference group at the start of the marine planning process to provide us with advice, guidance and feedback on the approach, and members of the reference group have co-produced the marine plan content collaboratively.

Mike Hedges said that he only really wanted one thing, most importantly, from today's debate, and that was about having the minutes published, and I did give that commitment, I think, back in the committee appearance I made. My understanding is that the minutes of the meeting of, I  think it was, 30 November, will be published by the end of this month.

Early engagement with stakeholders has been a key priority for the Welsh Government to ensure we identify the implications and opportunities of exiting the EU on our sectors. Members will be aware I established a stakeholder roundtable and a number of sub-groups straight after the referendum back in June 2016—I'm trying to think now. One of the stakeholder sub-groups relates specifically to our seas and coasts and it includes broad representation from the relevant sectors, so the seas and coasts sub-group plays a key role in helping us identify our priorities for managing our seas in a sustainable way, following our exit from the EU. I think it will also help us to develop a set of strategic priorities, including reaffirming our commitment to the sustainable management of our marine natural resources, a fairer deal for the fishing industry and our coastal communities, and a plan-led approach to driving blue growth. My department and I continue to meet with counterparts from right across the UK to discuss the issues arising from our exit from the EU and, of course, marine and fisheries are part of those discussions. And I am absolutely committed to safeguarding our rural, environmental and marine interests, and I think, by working together, we can explore every opportunity to benefit all of our sectors.

I've also been very clear there will be no reduction in our environmental protection in Wales when we leave the EU. An ecologically coherent and well-managed network of marine protected areas is a key part not just of our day one readiness, but also of the management and resilience of our seas for years to come. So, my focus remains on continuing to deliver key economic, social and environmental benefits to Wales. Thank you.