The publication of this Welsh national marine plan is our opportunity to develop a distinctively Welsh approach to the management of our seas, in line with the goals and ways of working enshrined in the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015. The plan we are publishing today shows the proactive approach we are taking as a Welsh Government to preserve the immense value of healthy seas to Wales's environment, economy and society. If we manage our seas wisely, they can play a vital role in regulating the impacts of climate change, and protecting our most precious species. Economic activity in our seas contributes millions of pounds and thousands of jobs, which benefit our coastal communities and our economy as a whole. Our iconic coastline is fundamental to our cultural heritage and identity.

This plan is published at a time when our seas and coastal communities are under immense pressure, and action is needed to preserve the value of our seas for future generations. The plan puts into place more robust requirements on developers and public authorities, giving Welsh Government a stronger basis for determining and licensing activities in accordance with our values. The foremost threat to our seas is that of climate change and species extinction. It is vital that we take the signs seriously, and we take action before it is too late. The impact of climate change is already upon us, with Welsh communities experiencing the impacts of intensifying patterns of flooding, coastal erosion and extreme storms. The plan strengthens the requirements for all developments to demonstrate they are resilient in the face of the flooding and coastal erosion we expect as a result of climate change.

The plan sets out our intention to expand the network of marine protected areas, and strengthen the protections that apply to other designated areas. Stronger requirements have been introduced, to enable firm action against marine litter and other forms of pollution arising from activities in our seas. Taking a planned approach to the management of our seas provides opportunities for sustainable economic development, enabling the creation of jobs in a way that contributes to the protection of the marine environment. Our plan, therefore, sets out the ways in which our policies will encourage a wide range of economic activities, from fishing and aquaculture to tourism and shipping. Central to both our environmental and our economic agenda is the role our seas can play in supporting the transition to a low-carbon energy system.

We already have in Wales some of the most substantial marine energy infrastructure of any country in the world, including large-scale offshore wind developments, and marine energy demonstration zones, in which Welsh businesses and academics are creating the technologies for the future. I hope we in this Assembly can all agree that the development of a vibrant marine energy sector has to be one of our most important long-term strategic goals for the Welsh economy.

The plan also includes references to UK Government policy where matters are reserved to UK Government. Inevitably, there are areas in which there is a contrast between Welsh Government and UK Government policy. One such area is in relation to the extraction of oil and gas. Welsh Government policy is designed to avoid further extraction and consumption of fossil fuels within all areas for which we have responsibility. We completely oppose any extraction of fossil fuels in the seas surrounding Wales. In the plan, we have gone further than this to say that where offshore fossil fuel extraction has land-based elements—that is, any elements that would fall into the responsibility of Welsh Government—we will apply our policy to avoid continued extraction of fossil fuels, using all powers available to us.

In our plan, we've also included details of the UK Government policy, insofar as it applies to the seas surrounding Wales. Their policy is to maximise fossil fuel extraction in the offshore areas surrounding Wales. The contrast between the policy of Welsh Government and UK Government could not be more stark. For the avoidance of any doubt, I would like to place on record the view of Welsh Government that any policy to encourage the continued extraction of fossil fuels is a policy we would emphatically reject.

Now that we have published and adopted the Welsh national marine plan, our efforts will focus on implementation. A marine planning decision makers group has been formed and detailed supplementary guidance is being finalised in collaboration with stakeholders. We have now released an updated version of our Wales marine planning portal, providing freely accessible and interactive online evidence maps.

As the evidence base develops we will continuously refine the plan and how it applies to specific activities and specific regions of Wales. The publication of the first Welsh national marine plan forms an important part of our response to the climate and ecological emergency as it affects our seas. It is equally a demonstration of our commitment to coastal communities and our support for the industries that we believe will underpin Wales's future prosperity.

This plan sets out our vision for a prosperous and resilient Wales in which our seas are abundant with wildlife, are sustaining a vibrant renewable energy sector, and are enriching the lives of the people of Wales in so many other ways.