Thank you, acting Presiding Officer, and thank you, Joyce, for bringing forward this short debate about—and I quite like—that 'teal new deal', and to Huw Irranca-Davies also for his contribution. Whilst the Welsh Government continues to respond to the significant public health and economic challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, part of that response is also the need to think and plan ahead. The Welsh Government is committed to a green recovery and, of course, the coast and seas around Wales are an integral part of our history, economy and our way of life. They support an abundance of diverse species, habitats and ecosystems and contribute millions to our economy, supporting thousands of jobs, and contribute to the health and well-being of local communities. This is why the Welsh Government has put in place a system of marine planning to help us manage and protect this important resource.

The delicate balance we need to achieve through planning and regulating new development includes enabling sustainable marine sector growth to ensure a blue recovery, with growth benefiting our coastal communities and economy whilst contributing to the protection, recovery and enhancement of the resilience of our marine ecosystems. Wales's marine planning system ensures we sustainably manage our marine resources, respecting the environment and established uses of the sea, while seeking to secure lasting benefits from new, exciting opportunities. In line with our approach to marine planning as an enabling framework for sustainable development and in support of a blue recovery, we are taking forward a spatial approach to understanding opportunities and constraints for marine renewable energy. This approach can support those who wish to progress development and help provide the confidence to do so in terms of signalling the types of activity likely to be appropriate and where, ensuring the resilience of our marine ecosystems is protected and enhanced. We are working with NRW and our stakeholders to develop sector locational guidance for some of the newer, more innovative sectors operating in Welsh seas, with a particular focus on marine renewable energy. This guidance will identify where may best accommodate new development and activity alongside existing uses and without compromising the resilience of marine ecosystems.

We recognise the link between the marine environment and our health and well-being. The Welsh national marine plan clearly highlights the importance of maintaining and enhancing access to the marine area, ensuring people are able to get to and take part in the activities and services provided by the marine environment. The plan also recognises that maintaining the health and resilience of our marine environment and ecosystems, whilst vital for nature recovery, is also integral to our health and well-being. It is the framework that allows us to bring forward the blue recovery aspect of reconstructing Wales in light of the pandemic. Indeed, with the current work under way to complete our marine protected areas network in Wales, led by the Marine Conservation Society's own task and finish group, ecosystem resilience remains at the centre of our plans. The system in Wales ensures socioeconomic benefits to local communities are given an appropriate weight in decision making. Important considerations when assessing proposed developments include the benefits they can offer to society, the creation of marine jobs and the development of marine-related skills. We have an ambitious decarbonisation agenda for Wales, and I see marine renewables forming part of the energy mix and contributing towards the blue economy and a green recovery from COVID-19, helping us tackle the climate emergency.

There is huge potential for the marine and renewable sectors to grow responsibly in Wales, and I am encouraged by the growing interest in Welsh waters. I want to see projects coming forward that support coastal communities and are designed and built with biodiversity in mind, supporting our ecosystem resilience. My officials are working in partnership through a consenting strategic advisory group to deliver a suite of actions aimed at derisking and accelerating the responsible deployment of marine renewable energy.

A sustainable future for our Welsh fisheries is an important part of blue recovery. Last month, I issued a written statement on the next steps towards a future fisheries policy for Wales. That policy will be rooted in our core values of economic, environmental and social justice. We must develop a sustainable ecosystems-based policy that works with all other marine policies. Our fisheries are valuable natural resources, and I remain fully committed to introducing evidence-based, flexible management regimes for a range of Welsh fisheries.

In July, Sir David Henshaw, chair of NRW, was asked to lead a coalition of experts to deliver practical action on a green recovery. The group Sir David is chairing is part of the work across Welsh Government to invite people with a wide range of perspectives to help shape and challenge our plans for reconstruction. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has severely disrupted the work of organisations who are vital to the protection of nature in Wales. We must now rebuild and strengthen our ability to protect nature and increase the presence of nature in our communities for the benefit of our health and our economy. To do this, we will mobilise across Government and throughout communities in every part of Wales, and the group will be a powerful driver for such action. The group is focusing on delivering practical action on carbon emissions and climate risk, reversing the decline in biodiversity and connecting people and nature through investments in green infrastructure.

Our marine stakeholders are feeding directly into this process through our Wales marine action and advisory group. Peter Davies is the chair for the advisory group, which is made up of key coastal and marine stakeholders, partners and non-governmental organisations. Peter also sits on the green recovery taskforce and has been working collaboratively with advisory group members, who are committed to design and support the delivery of an integrated blue recovery stimulus package.

There is a significant opportunity now for coastal communities to lead on a blue recovery, and deliver meaningful improvements to well-being through an integrated approach that recognises the relationships between healthy coasts and seas and local economies. So, whilst I was listening to Joyce talk about the teal new deal, I was thinking that, despite the old saying that my aunt often used to say to me, 'Blue and green should never be seen, except in the washing machine,' I think they go very well together. Diolch.