Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. Well, 'follow that', as they say—I'm not even going to attempt it. I really enjoyed the contribution of Rhun ap Iorwerth, and I can assure you that we are very aware of the really important work that the vessel, Prince Madog, has done in conjunction with Bangor University. I've had the real privilege of speaking to some of the scientists who have been involved in that, and, indeed, some of the poets that have been involved in it as well. We're very, very well aware of the asset that we have there. 

As everyone has acknowledged, we're faced with the twin threats of climate and nature emergencies, and that, more than ever, includes our seas. We need clean, healthy, safe, productive and biologically diverse seas, and that's why I welcome the opportunity to respond to the debate. I commend the Member on his pitch—I think that’s what it was, really—for the continuation of the role of the research vessel, the Prince Madog, and to highlight the essential role that research science and evidence play in our drive to deliver our vision for those clean, resilient and biologically diverse seas.

Members will be aware—indeed, Rhun has just told us—that in 2019 the Welsh Government contracted Bangor University for the use of the Prince Madog research vessel. It has enabled us to undertake an enormous range of survey projects at sea. It included the associated laboratory work, facilitated access to the marine academic projects and data sets, and it played a real role in securing the future of the research vessel, which Rhun has acknowledged. The contract has enabled the delivery of very high-quality science, world-leading science, to help us better understand our seas and support a range of public priority policies and statutory obligations.

It has delivered a number of surveys and reports, including the co-designed Whelk Fishing Permit (Wales) Order 2021, which Members will remember going through the Senedd. I think you were the only speaker on it, actually, Rhun, at the time. It developed the fisheries stock assessments for scallop, crab, lobster, whelk, skate and ray, and it did the seabed characterisation to identify the marine conservation zones and support the completion of the marine protected area network. So, it's been really fundamental in what we've been doing. They've also been exploring and mapping the seabed in resource areas and gathering evidence to improve our understanding of blue carbon in Welsh waters. It supports the delivery of our key ministerial priorities and ensures we meet our statutory monitoring obligations also.

As Rhun has pointed out, that contract has now ended. We are currently assessing our requirements for seagoing science provision for future years. I absolutely assure Members, Rhun in particular, that we've continued a close dialogue with the School of Ocean Sciences at Bangor University, alongside all our Welsh marine research institutions. We’ll continue to do so as we consider the potential next steps and the next contract that will be coming along.

As I've said, it's imperative that we balance development with protecting the environment. I'm currently completing, as Members will be aware, a deep dive into biodiversity, with a specific focus on the 30x30 target. That commits us to protecting 30 per cent of our land, and our seas, importantly, by 2030. I'll be publishing a written statement on the recommendations from the deep dive on Monday 3 October, and there's a conference down at the national botanic gardens to go through the recommendations from the deep dive. I think you'll be very pleased with the outcome of that, and you'll see how the work that we've done in the universities around Wales has contributed to that.

I can't comment on the ongoing contract because it's currently in procurement, but I can assure you that we're well aware of the asset that we have up there in Bangor.

In closing, Dirprwy Lywydd, I welcome today's debate on the recognition of the crucial importance of our seas. They're an incredible natural asset, and the development of research science and evidence plays a crucial role in addressing both the climate and nature emergencies. My clear focus is ensuring we sustainably manage this incredible resource and understand it thoroughly, for both our current and future generations. Diolch.