Written question WQ87257

Our approach in Wales on land and in our seas is to build ecological resilience so our most precious habitats and species are given the best chance to recover and thrive improving all our wellbeing. Working in partnership with NRW and Heritage Lottery we are investing £15m to support the delivery of the Nature Networks Programme in 2022/23 to improve the condition, connectivity and resilience of Wales’ marine and terrestrial protected sites network.

Given the importance of tackling the nature and climate emergencies we will be increasing funding over the next two years to further support and expand important initiatives such as our Nature Networks and Peatland Programmes whilst also ensuring we can continue to build capacity to coordinate local action through the Local Nature Partnerships. This will enable us to take critical action to help us meet our 30 by 30 target and actions identified by the biodiversity deep dive.

To ensure our seas remain resilient and well-managed, the Marine Protected Area Management Steering Group produces an annual action plan which is now supported by a Welsh Government funded grant scheme. The latest proposals for 2023-24 are now being considered by the Steering Group and seek to address and enhance understanding of a variety of pressures facing our marine environment.