News

Welsh seabird strategy published as ministers warn of threats to colonies

Published

1 month ago

January 19, 2026

Plan covers 29 species and highlights HPAI impact at Grassholm, where gannet numbers are believed to have halved

DEPUTY First Minister Huw Irranca-Davies has announced the publication of a Welsh Seabird Conservation Strategy, setting out an evidence-based plan to protect Wales’ internationally important seabird populations — including major colonies off the Pembrokeshire coast.

In a written statement issued on Monday (Jan 19), the Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs said Wales’ diverse coastal habitats, cliffs and islands support breeding seabirds of global significance.

He highlighted Skomer and Skokholm Islands as among the most important seabird sites in Wales, supporting the world’s largest breeding population of Manx shearwater — estimated at around 450,000 pairs — alongside Wales’ largest colony of Atlantic puffins.

Further offshore, Grassholm Island was described as home to one of the largest Northern gannet colonies in the world.

***Seafood snack: Adult Puffin with his lunch***

The Deputy First Minister said pressures on seabird populations have built up over many years, including changes to prey availability and the loss of suitable habitat, with impacts compounded by the climate crisis.

He said colonies are becoming less resilient, pointing to the “severe” effects of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in 2022.

The virus significantly affected key tern and gull colonies and hit Grassholm particularly hard, with breeding pairs believed to have declined by around 50%, the statement said.

Mr Irranca-Davies said he commissioned the strategy in response to these challenges, to provide a long-term framework for protecting Wales’ seabirds.

The strategy covers 29 seabird species found in Wales, including resident birds, overwintering species and breeding colonies. It says seabirds need access to suitable foraging grounds and nesting habitats at every stage of their lifecycle.

Its evidence base includes vulnerability assessments which consider how sensitive a species is to a particular pressure and how exposed it is to that pressure. More than 20 pressures were assessed using expert judgement and the best available evidence, the Welsh Government said.

Five main pressures were identified as having the greatest impact on seabird recovery and resilience in Wales:

Introduction or spread of invasive non-native species
Visual disturbance
Introduction of microbial pathogens
Reduction in the availability, extent or quality of supporting habitat
Uncontrolled increase of native competitor or predatory species

The Deputy First Minister said the strategy sets out targeted recommendations and actions to address these priorities, adding that the work had been developed collaboratively with partners including Natural Resources Wales, the British Trust for Ornithology, the Joint Nature Conservation Committee and the RSPB.

He thanked those involved and said the Welsh Government would continue to review the evidence base and update recommendations as new data emerges.

Crime

Man who threw corrosive liquid at guest and fled abroad jailed

Published

1 hour ago

February 18, 2026

Court Reporter

A BUSINESSMAN who threw a corrosive liquid into a guest’s face during a row at a spiritual retreat before fleeing the country has been jailed for 18 months.

Dean Mayze, aged 38, from Abercrave in Powys, admitted inflicting grievous bodily harm following the attack at his Hafan-y-Coed retreat in December 2022.

Swansea Crown Court heard the assault happened after an argument with guest Keifer Price, who had complained about the condition of his accommodation, including a lack of heating and washing facilities.

During the confrontation, Mayze produced a blue container and threw its contents upwards into the victim’s face.

The liquid — described as smelling like ammonia — entered Mr Price’s eyes, nose and mouth, leaving him in severe pain and struggling to breathe.

Medical evidence confirmed injuries consistent with a chemical burn to both eyes. He suffered abrasions, a corneal defect and the loss of the outer corneal layer in one eye, requiring significant treatment to prevent permanent sight loss. He has since recovered without lasting injury.

Fled across Europe

Following the attack, Mayze fled the UK, triggering an international search.

The court heard he travelled across several European countries, including Ireland, France, Italy, Croatia and Greece, before eventually being arrested in Romania in 2025.

Despite being on the run, he remained in regular contact with police by text and email, at one point telling officers he would not be returning to Wales.

His partner initially claimed responsibility for the assault and later received a suspended prison sentence after admitting perverting the course of justice.

Previous conviction

The court was told Mayze has a previous conviction for wounding involving a corrosive substance in Kent in 2013.

Defence barrister Andrew Taylor said his client had experienced harsh conditions while detained in Romania, including contracting scabies without treatment, and described him as remorseful.

However, Judge Geraint Walters said it was “pure luck” the victim had not suffered permanent injuries, describing the attack as a “particularly wicked way of inflicting violence”.

Sentence and order

Mayze, who appeared via video link from prison, had previously denied a more serious charge of causing grievous bodily harm with intent.

He was sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment and made subject to a three-year restraining order.

Crime

Police appeal after man injured in St Davids incident

Published

7 hours ago

February 18, 2026

Tom Sinclair

DYFED-POWYS POLICE are appealing for witnesses following an incident in St Davids which left one man injured.

The incident happened in Nun Street at around 11:10am on Tuesday, December 30. The injured man was taken to hospital for treatment.

Officers confirmed that a man has been arrested on suspicion of assault in connection with the incident.

Police are now asking anyone with information, dash cam footage, or CCTV that could assist the investigation to come forward.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dyfed-Powys Police online at:
https://www.dyfed-powys.police.uk/contact/af/contact-us-beta/contact-us/

Alternatively, email [email protected], send a direct message via social media, or call 101 quoting reference DP20251230094.

Information can also be provided anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 or via crimestoppers-uk.org.

Crime

Sexual assault allegation to be tried

Published

8 hours ago

February 18, 2026

Tamsin Mathias

Accused granted conditional bail

A SEXUAL assault allegation has been listed for trial following a hearing before magistrates.

David Fletcher, 45, of Chestnut Way, Mount Estate, Milford Haven, Pembrokeshire, appeared before magistrates in Llanelli on Thursday (Feb 12) charged with sexual assault, contrary to section 3 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003.

The charge alleges that on March 16, 2025, at Johnston, Pembrokeshire, he intentionally touched a woman aged 16 or over and that the touching was sexual when she did not consent and he did not reasonably believe that she was consenting.

The matter was adjourned for trial and Fletcher was remanded on conditional bail.

The trial is listed for March 9, 2026 at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court. Bail conditions prohibit him from entering a specified premises in Johnston, from contacting directly or indirectly the complainant or any prosecution witnesses, and from posting any information relating to the investigation on social media. The conditions were imposed to prevent further offending and to prevent interference with witnesses or obstruction of justice.