10. Short Debate: Broaden the spectrum: Adding blue to the green recovery

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 6:10 pm on 21 October 2020.

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Photo of Huw Irranca-Davies Huw Irranca-Davies Labour 6:10, 21 October 2020

It's a pleasure to follow Joyce in this important debate in support of a blue-green recovery. I would argue strongly that we must have the data and analysis that underpins sustainable resource management, and that we should not only have marine protected areas, but some areas that are of a higher protected status and, crucially, that those MPAs are managed effectively. It's incredible now that we've got an area over nine times the size of Wales in marine protected areas around the UK, yet, around the UK, less than 1 per cent is considered by MCS scientists to be well managed. So, it's a bit like our seas—on the surface things look quite good, but below the surface we've got a lot more to do to turn MPAs on charts into MPAs in reality, and to enable that sustainable use of our marine resources in that marine planning framework. And, Minister, can I endorse the concept by the Marine Conservation Society and Wales Environment Link, and by Joyce here today, of blue carbon, where the protection and enrichment of vulnerable but valuable marine habitats can yield the greatest per-unit area benefit in terms of increased carbon sequestration? Let Wales lead a blue-green recovery.