Partneriaeth Moroedd ac Arfordiroedd Cymru (PMaA Cymru): 13 Mehefin 2024

David Tudor: CaSP Chair
Simon Preddy: Keep Wales Tidy
Ffion Mitchell: Marine Conservation Society 
Jay Sheppard: Marine Energy Wales
Kirsty Lindenbaum: Natural Resources Wales
Rhian Jardine: Natural Resources Wales
Oisin Lowe-Sellers: North Wales Rivers Trust
Rowena Haines: RSPB
Jacob Kevern: Welsh Local Government Association
Nicole Esteban: Swansea University / Coastal Alliance Wales
Philip Turner: The Crown Estate
Sion Roberts: The Crown Estate
Fergus Obrien: Welsh Water
Reece Halstead: North Wales Wildlife Trust  (NRW)
Salamatu Fada: Bangor University
Ann Humble: Welsh Government – Strategic Evidence
Caryn Le Roux: Welsh Government – Marine and Biodiversity
Alice Teague: Welsh Government – Marine and Biodiversity 
Samuel Dorrington: Welsh Government – Marine and Biodiversity 

Andy Schofield: Evidence Platform Wales
Michel Regelous: Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority
Jetske Germing: Pembrokeshire Coastal Forum
Jennifer Godwin: Seabed User and Developer Group
Emma McKinley: Cardiff University
Rhoda Ballinger: Severn Estuary Partnership (Cardiff University)
Laura Parry: Wildlife Trust Wales
Jean-Francois Dulong: WLGA
Shea Buckland-Jones: WWF
Elen King: Welsh Government – Marine and Biodiversity
Rose Malleson: Welsh Government – Marine and Biodiversity

The Chair, David Tudor (DT), welcomed everyone and gave an overview of the day. Brief introductions were made.

DT provided an update on his recent meeting with the new Cabinet Secretary to make him aware of CaSP’s work, including actions of the working groups (see Progressing Themes/Working Groups).

DT reported that the Cabinet Secretary praised the conversational, consensus focussed approach of CaSP. He was impressed with the headline actions, appreciates we need to build mechanisms as we go to get people together, and feels that CaSP is an exemplar of the approach we should be taking. 

Also key for the Partnership is the recent marine oral statement given by the Cabinet Secretary to the Senedd, which sets out his priorities for the next two years, and included the commitment to support a Development Manager for the MARINE Fund Cymru.

Caryn Le Roux (CLR) shared the actions from the last meeting, all actions were either to be covered in this meeting or had been completed (See Annex 1).

CLR briefly covered branding, which is being progressed through the Ocean Literacy group, but also includes website development for the whole Partnership. A  request was made for anyone with experience in website development or management to help with this.

CLR then shared the current iteration of the Delivery Plan (See Annex 2) and invited comments and feedback. This led to a discussion around difficulties in building capacity with a consensus that it is now the biggest limiter to moving forward. Members shared similar situations they have experienced around overqualified individuals applying for minimum wage jobs, and the need for career pathways in marine science and sectors.  This will be picked up by the Capacity Building theme, considering a link up with skills and Careers Wales.

Actions 

CLR to circulate the next iteration of the Delivery Plan when prepared and consider where it could best be published.

Kirsty Lindenbaum (KL) provided a presentation on the progress of the Ocean Literacy working group (see Annex 3) The presentation covered:

• an update on the progress of the Ocean Literacy Strategy – Y Môr a Ni 
• the branding of CaSP,  Y Môr a Ni and the working groups
• a proposal to create a core group, with the current wider group becoming more of an Y Môr a Ni Practitioners Group

General feedback was given to KL on the branding images shared in the presentation and the group was supportive of the idea of a core group. 

KL introduced Reece Halstead (RH) Ocean Literacy Co-ordinator for Wales, hosted by North Wales Wildlife Trust with the aim of creating the Festival of the Sea 2025. The concept of the festival was described as a pilot project aiming to bring together, using a community focused approach, lots of individual events and activities occurring across Wales under one recognisable umbrella. The pilot Festival will be held in Spring 2025, with plans to learn from the pilot and make recommendations for future events.

Further discussion around this area included:

• Learning from Sea Scotland event
  • Referring to the Subsea Cable shorts
    • SUDG’s report on the socio-economic benefits of the marine industry in the UK
    • The need to understand demographics at different locations around Wales

Actions 

All members to put forward suggestions to RH for activities that could be included in the Festival of the Sea and consider how the organisations they represent could provide support.

Gareth Cunningham (GC) provided a presentation on the progress of the Blue Investment working group (see Annex 4) The presentation focused on the MARINE fund:

• WCVA have engaged Geldards LLP - UK Law Firm to provide legal advice on the governance structure and is having discussions with possible donors
• funding for a  MARINE Fund Development Manager will be provided by WG as announced by the Cabinet Secretary on 11/6/24 in his oral statement

The presentation also touched on other work going on in parallel including:

• Finance Earth’s UK marine funding gap analysis
• potential list of projects/ways of working from the Enabling Environment Sector group (meeting on 25th June to discuss)WG Sustainable Finance Task & Finish Group 
• Crown Estate and Blue’s High-Integrity Marine Natural Capital Markets Roadmap

The group’s focus moving forward is to develop the MARINE fund guidance on criteria for accepting contributions to the Fund and projects and opportunities for funding.

The draft  legal documents in production will be shared as soon as possible through the Blue Investment Working Group.  

AT added some background on the wider work on sustainable investment. The new Cabinet Secretary is keen to push sustainable investment and wants an overarching strategic approach. A consultation on responsible investment principles will take place later in the summer.

Actions

WCVA to check with Geldards LLP - UK Law Firm about sharing documents while in draft, and to arrange for them to join a future BI meeting.

The inaugural Capacity Building Working Group meeting was held on 27 March (see attached meeting notes annex 5).  After reviewing the original intention and the number of actions the group have compiled, it was agreed to hold a workshop on the Theory of Change and develop a Roadmap for the Capacity Building Working Group, aiming to establish the outcomes for the rest of the Senedd term and a shortlist of actions to achieve them.

AT brought to the attention of the group that the next round of the Nature Networks Fund opens on the 8^{th of} July and there is a capacity building element to that.

Actions

Secretariat to circulate details of upcoming Capacity Building Workshop, members are encouraged to attend in person if possible.

Kirsty Lindenbaum (KL) shared a slide on the topics the MBEG working group (see Annex 3) had covered including:

• a Welsh Government overview of the consultation on the White Paper on Environmental principles, governance and biodiversity targets 
• NRW update on the process for compiling the State of Natural Resources report (SoNaRR) for 2025, with a focus on marine ecosystem services 

The next meeting is likely to focus on the Welsh Seabird Conservation Strategy when the consultation opens. 

Hiraeth yn y Mor 

Ffion Mitchell (FfM) from the Marine Conservation Society gave a presentation on the project ‘Hiraeth yn y Mor - Equitably reconnecting people to our ocean.’ The project aims to grow hyper-local Ocean Literacy as a means to support the sustainable management of Liverpool Bay SPA and community. The presentation covered:

• the design process of the project
• the project timeline
• the structure of the project
• various support structures to benefit
  • diverse communities
  • social science
  • policy and practice

Key learnings taken from the project are that:

• meaningful engagement takes time and resource
• it is necessary to relinquish power for sustainable results
• that it is important to focus on actions and process, not terminology and outputs

The key output of the project is that people are more ocean literate and feel connected to the sea in their own way, are confident and willing to protect it, and better informed on how to participate in local decision making. 

For detailed information please see the full presentation (Annex 6).

Menai Straits Partnership Forum

Oisin Lowe-Sellers (OLS) from the Menai Straits Partnership Forum gave a presentation on the project which is a collaboration between the Menai Strait Fishery Order Management Association and the North Wales Rivers Trust. Oisin’s role is funded by the Coastal Capacity Building Fund to bring together and work as the facilitator for all stakeholders around the Menai Strait. The project has a focus on improving water quality for the Menai Strait shellfishery, through establishing an advisory panel and impact assessment for the Menai, working with Bangor University, working with local groups on awareness raising and education and conducting practical restoration work.

For detailed information please see the full presentation (Annex 7).

Phil Turner (PT) and Sion Roberts (SR) from the Crown Estate (TCE) presented on developing their Nature Strategy and the Whole of Seabed approach.

The Nature Strategy presentation includes:

• background on The Crown Estate
• delivering environmental and financial value, optimising the co-benefits and managing any trade-offs
• the context and rationale for their Nature Recovery Strategy
• vision and ambition underpinned by four commitments
  • understanding nature
  • designing for nature
  • funding for nature
  • partnering for nature

Next steps for the strategy are:

• 'Nature Goal’ update in September 
• Aug-Oct engaging with stakeholders including CaSP on targets
• early 2025 strategy update published with business unit targets 

SR then introduced the Whole of Seabed approach which is a digitally led programme trying to understand the relationship between us and the marine environment. The aim is to build a strong evidence base to engage with experts and inform decision making.

The Crown Estate plan is to take the best in class data, put it through a tried and tested analysis process to provide unrivalled understanding & insights.  This is run through different sector demand scenarios to account for uncertainty, leading to different objectives on spatial prioritisation between and within sectors.

So far, they have established the Whole of Seabed analysis. This is an internally focused proof of concept. To develop their capability, they have had early engagement to capture an initial range of datasets to work with and produced initial outputs to test their approach.

They are now engaging on the analysis and review. There is a plan to engage with CaSP, although they recognise it is an ask on time and although they are unsure of when, they believe it is best to organise a special event. 

Actions

PT and SR to liaise with the CaSP management group on CaSP’s engagement with the Whole of Seabed approach going forward.

CLR shared the draft Climate Resilient Nature Plan, which will sit within the wider Welsh Government Climate Resilience Plan.  This includes fifteen cross-sector plans covering agriculture, forestry, fisheries, food security, water, health, business, transport, buildings, culture, energy, telecoms, and finance, with marine actions embedded throughout. The Climate Resilient Fisheries plan had already been shared by email. 

The Climate Resilient Nature plan integrates actions from across Welsh Government policy areas and NRW have already had input.  

Actions

Secretariat to circulate the Climate Resilient Nature plan for comment – deadline end of June.

Ann Humble (AH) Welsh Government, and Dr Salamatu Fada (SF) Anti-Racism Fellow, joined the meeting to give a presentation on the Anti-racist Wales Action Plan and engage with CaSP on how it can embody those principles. (See annex 8)

Being anti racist means to:

• focus on actively tackling racism
• integrate policies, processes, practices that acknowledge that racism is embedded culturally
• step away from putting the emphasis on minority ethnic groups to conform to the sector 
• focus on justice, instead of equity or equality

Definition of anti-racism in the Anti-racist Wales action plan

Actively identifying and eradicating the systems, structures and processes that produce radically differential outcomes for ethnic minority groups. 

It involves acknowledging that even when we do not regard ourselves as ‘racist’ we can, by doing nothing, be complicit in allowing racism to continue. 

It is not about “fixing” ethnic minority people or communities, but rather about fixing systems that have not benefited, and at times even damaged, ethnic minority people. 

It is about working with the considerable strengths and leadership of ethnic minority people and using their lived experiences in how we, collectively, shape and deliver. (doing it with, not to…)

It is about making a positive and lasting difference.

We need to be as inclusive as we can in order to be able to solve the big issues we have, and so we need to think about things differently.

Some further links were provided for information and context if you would like to find out more:

07 WCW 2023 Day 4 VOD Discussing The Experience of Racism in Climate Change Action on Vimeo

Deconstructing White Privilege with Dr. Robin DiAngelo (youtube.com)

Black in Marine Science - HOME

Wildlife Trusts Wales

Laura Parry (Wildlife Trusts Wales) – suggested the Severn Tidal Energy Commission be invited to attend the next CaSP meeting.

Actions

Secretariat to approach Western Gateway about including an item on the Severn Tidal Energy Commission on the agenda of the next CaSP meeting.

Welsh Water

Fergus O’Brien (Welsh Water) – Gave a summary of their five yearly business plan for 2025 - 2030:

• plan submitted in October and will be updated in January 2025
• budget of £1.5 Billion, all of which is customer funded
• biggest and most complex investment they have ever made
• this includes coastal specific projects
• large area of the plan revolves around water quality with £800 million storm overflow programme
• focus on storm overflows with the most impact rather than spill frequency (which is opposite to the approach taken in England)
• large number of jobs created, including long term career opportunities
• final versions of the draft programmes to be published on the 5th of July
• with a final determination at the end of the year

Actions

Secretariat to share the latest Welsh Water draft 2025 -2030 Business Plan with CaSP members.

Natural Resources Wales (NRW)

NRW has launched river basin management plan and are looking to make plan more deliverable.  There will also be a report and further engagement on a project on the impacts of coastal squeeze coming soon.

Actions

Secretariat to share NRW consultations and reports as they become available.

Full Partnership Meetings in 2024:

• October 10th, venue is the Welsh Government office in Cardiff (Cathays Park). Calendar invitation has been circulated

Working groups scheduled meetings:
•    Capacity Building Workshop – Wednesday 4th July
•    Blue Investment Working Group – Monthly on 2nd Thursday of the month
•    Ocean Literacy Working Group – Monday 15th  July

1. CLR to circulate the next iteration of the Delivery Plan and consider where it could best be published.
2. All members to put forward suggestions to Reece Halstead for activities that could be included in the Festival of the Sea and consider how the organisations they represent could provide support.
3. WCVA to check with Geldards LLP - UK Law Firm about sharing documents while in draft, and to arrange for them to join a future BI meeting.
4. Secretariat to circulate details of upcoming Capacity Building Workshop, members are encouraged to attend in person if possible.
5. Phil Turner and Sion Roberts to liaise with the CaSP management group on CaSP’s engagement with the Whole of Seabed approach going forward.
6. Secretariat to circulate the Climate Resilient Nature plan for comment – deadline end of June.
7. Secretariat to approach Western Gateway about including an item on the Severn Tidal Energy Commission on the agenda of the next CaSP meeting.
8. Secretariat to share the latest Welsh Water draft 2025 -2030 Business Plan with CaSP members.
9. Secretariat to share NRW consultations and reports as they become available. 
    

The following annexes are too large to be embedded in this document. They are available on request from Samuel Dorrington.

• annex 1: Agenda CaSP Cymru 13 June 2024, including actions from the previous meeting
• annex 2: CaSP Cymru delivery plan, May 2024    
• annex 3: Ocean Literacy presentation including a slide on the MBEG working group   
• annex 4: Blue Investment presentation
• annex 5: Inaugural Capacity Building working group meeting notes     
• annex 6: 'Hiraeth yn y Mor - Equitably reconnecting people to our ocean’    
• annex 7: Menai Straits Partnership Forum presentation   
• annex 8: Presentation on the Anti-racist Wales action plan