Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. I move the motion. The practice of shark finning is barbaric and hugely detrimental to shark populations across the world. It is a completely unsustainable fishing practice, where large parts of the shark carcass are discarded overboard in favour of the high-value shark fin, used predominantly within Asian communities.

Shark populations globally are in decline, and it is widely accepted that this practice contributes significantly to it. I want Wales to be a nature-positive country, and to lead by example. The shark-finning regulation already prohibits the removal of shark fins onboard UK vessels operating in maritime waters. The Shark Fins Bill will go further, and ban the import and export of detached shark fins and products containing detached shark fins. The ban sends a clear message to the rest of the world that Wales, and indeed the UK, does not accept this practice and will not contribute to a global market involved in this.

I do recognise that there are scientific and educational purposes for shark fins in Wales, and the Bill does allow Welsh Ministers to grant exemption certificates for this limited purpose. 

The second clause is also significant, as it enhances the provisions I mentioned in the shark-finning regulation. The Bill will prohibit shark finning onboard UK vessels operating outside UK waters, and non-UK vessels operating in UK waters. The provision means that all vessels operating in the UK must land all sharks with fins naturally attached to the body of the shark. UK vessels operating outside of the UK will also be operating in line with similar regulations in Europe.

The final clause, which sets out the extent and commencement of the Bill will remain reserved to the Secretary of State. With regard to this clause, I've expressed my disappointment to the Secretary of State following a lack of engagement with the Welsh Government when the Bill was first being drafted. As I understand it, officials were given very little time to consider the Bill and the scope of devolved powers before it was introduced to the House of Commons. However, with the Secretary of State retaining these powers, it means that there will be no possibility of a regulatory gap between regulations commencing in the UK and in devolved Governments.

So, with that aside, I am pleased to have the opportunity to discuss with you all today this Bill, which is an important step towards shark conservation in a time when our country is facing a nature emergency. I am committed to a marine environment that is clean, safe, healthy, productive and biologically diverse. We have achieved so much in Wales by way of marine conservation, from our marine protected area network, which boasts 69 per cent protection in our inshore and 50 per cent in all Welsh waters, and this continues to grow, with the announcement I made launching the marine conservation zone designation process.

Wales is also leading the way responsibly when it comes to clean seas. I introduced the ambitious Environmental Protection (Single-use Plastic Products) (Wales) Bill on 20 September 2022. The Bill goes beyond banning an initial set of single-use plastic products seen in other parts of the UK, and Wales becomes the first UK nation to introduce a recycling scheme for end-of-life fishing gear. This scheme has collected and recycled 2.4 tonnes of fishing gear that may have otherwise been sent to landfill.

And, Dirprwy Lywydd, we will be doing more. Following the biodiversity deep dive I commissioned last year, I published a set of recommendations that should be taken in order to achieve the 30x30 target. My officials are currently analysing the new global framework agreed at COP15 in late December, to identify what further actions we need to take to meet the other targets in addition to 30x30.

And in addition to the marine conservation zone process I mentioned earlier, Welsh Government will be developing a habitats restoration scheme, focusing on salt marsh and sea grass habitats along the Welsh coastline. I've also committed to a sea bed conservation strategy, which now more than ever is absolutely critical in the face of the ever-growing threat of avian influenza.

However, if we want to show the rest of the world that Wales is committed to marine conservation, we need to go beyond our domestic priorities by agreeing to the motion and banning the import and export of detached shark fins into Wales and the UK, which I think sends a clear message that we do not support this type of unsustainable practice that is so damaging to the world's shark population. So, Dirprwy Lywydd, in drawing to a conclusion, I recommend Members support the legislative consent motion in respect of the Shark Fin Bill. Diolch.