As a nation with a proud seafaring tradition, the importance of this Fisheries Bill cannot be overstated. Our relationship with the sea has not only helped to shape our nation's history but also our culture. This LCM acknowledges that there needs to be a UK-wide approach to create the fisheries framework, which can only be done through a UK Bill. It enables the Welsh Government to act decisively until we reach a time that a comprehensive Wales fisheries Bill can be brought before the Welsh Parliament for full and proper scrutiny.

The Bill introduces many significant positives for Wales, redefining responsibilities in relation to fisheries or the Welsh Government and its marine and fisheries division, including the development of new regulations, new fisheries management plans, new inter-governmental arrangements, including the joint fisheries statement, memorandum of understanding and dispute resolution arrangements, and greater responsibility for regulating and enforcing fisheries in the Welsh zone. It acknowledges the technical and global nature of the fishing market. Clauses 12 and 13 make provision for access to British fisheries by British and foreign fishing boats. Schedule 2 also contains amendments to ensure that any foreign vessels that enter our waters will be subject to the same regulations as British fishing boats. Meanwhile, clauses 19 to 22 and Schedule 4 provide for access and licensing offences. However, these clauses can be only enforced by a fully funded marine and fisheries division.

A CCERA report has previously highlighted concerns about the capacity of fisheries policy and legal staff within Welsh Government to deal with the increased workload resulting from this new legislation. Minister, in a letter that you sent to the committee on 30 June, you said that

'where additional costs may arise' in relation to the marine and fisheries division,

'they will be drawn from existing programme budgets.'

With concern also that staffing of this team is at half capacity, I urge the Welsh Government to explain what assessment has been made to establish what additional costs may amount to and to explicitly state whether this cost can actually be met by existing budgets.

Clause 23 enables the UK Secretary of State to determine the maximum quantity of sea fish that may be caught by British fishing boats and the maximum number of days that British fishing boats may spend at sea. Under clause 24, before such a determination is made or withdrawn, the Secretary of State must consult Welsh Ministers.

The Welsh Government is to sign a memorandum of understanding on this front, which, at the time of this LCM, remains pending. Now, I share the Minister's confidence in the commitments made by British Government thus far that any MOU will fulfil the parameters laid between the two parties.

Clause 1 sets out the UK's fisheries objectives, which will apply across the UK, alongside a redrafted sustainability objective. The Bill now introduces a new climate change objective. These changes realise that this Bill offers an unprecedented opportunity for the UK and Wales to demonstrate viable environmental ambition and leadership to sustainable maritime policy, but sustainability also means supporting coastal jobs and the communities they serve. It also means ensuring that Welsh fisheries are economically viable and resilient for future generations. Therefore, I welcome the introduction of a new objective under clause 1, designated 'national benefit'.

Information dating back to 1985 suggests that the Welsh fishing industry is the smallest national industry in the UK. In 2012, there were approximately 1,020 employed in fishing, 643 regular full-time workers and 347 fishing staff. More broadly, the number of fishing vessels in the UK fleet has fallen by 29 per cent since 1996. The environmental economist Griffin Carpenter has noted that the financial assistance powers offered under this clause will enable Welsh Ministers to provide funding for a broader range of purposes when compared to the current European maritime and fisheries fund. This included financial assistance for training, which Mr Carpenter suggested could help support young entrants and in turn potentially rejuvenate the fishing industry in Wales.

The Welsh Conservatives will be voting in favour of giving consent, because to do so is a positive step forward towards a thriving and sustainable future for the Welsh fishing industry. But the Welsh Government must act on the concerns of CCERA in relation to the funding and staffing of the marine and fisheries division, and look to finalise the MOU as soon as possible. Thank you. Diolch.