Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 4:26 pm on 18 May 2022.
Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. I'd just also like to add my voice to thanking members of the committee and particularly the Chair for the review and the recent focus on the marine environment, absolutely recognising the vital role it plays in tackling both the climate and the nature emergencies. And just to say, Llyr, I think you did an amazing job of getting through what you got through in a short amount of time, and it's been really valuable to us that the committee does that work for us. They can collect a lot of evidence that will help inform our process. So, I'm genuinely really grateful for the work of the committee.
To state the sort of blindingly obvious, our seas are a priceless natural asset, and I absolutely am fully committed to seas that are clean, safe, productive and biologically diverse for future generations to enjoy. As all Members have pointed out, resilient seas play a vital role in addressing the climate change and nature emergencies, and I very much welcome this report and the debate we're having today.
Despite Llyr's evident disappointment, the Welsh Government's written response was absolutely trying to reflect the positive spirit in which we received the report, and our commitment in continuing to develop our marine policies and strengthen our approach. The committee highlighted the growing potential for marine renewable energy in particular, and many Members have highlighted it, and I absolutely agree that it's very important to get that sweet spot of balance between development and conservation and to ensure that all the developments in the sea are fit for purpose and enhance, where at all possible, both biodiversity and the environment that they find themselves within. So, I absolutely—[Interruption.]—certainly, Huw.