News

Senedd member slams ‘rudderless’ marine policy and calls for bottom trawling ban

Published

9 months ago

July 10, 2025

Finch-Saunders brands seabed destruction a ‘national disgrace’

A CALL to ban bottom trawling in Welsh waters was made in the Senedd this week, with Conservative MS Janet Finch-Saunders criticising what she described as the Welsh Government’s “rudderless” approach to marine protection.

Speaking during a debate on Monday (July 9), the Aberconwy MS said bottom trawling – the practice of dragging weighted nets across the seabed – was among the most “wasteful and destructive” forms of fishing.

“It is a national disgrace that this Welsh Government is allowing such destructive and wasteful practices to take place,” she told members.

Finch-Saunders warned that bottom trawling destroys seabed habitats, releases high levels of carbon, and results in the death of untargeted marine life. She said it was currently restricted in less than 1% of Welsh waters, with protections only in place around Skomer Island – one of 139 marine protected areas (MPAs) around Wales.

The Belgian fishing boat Avatar sometimes operates from Milford Haven, Pembrokeshire

‘Incompatible with protection’

***‘Rudderless’ marine policy:*** ***Conservative MS Janet Finch-Saunders says Welsh Government is failing to protect the seabed around Wales***

Describing the method as “incompatible” with the aims of MPAs, she urged the Welsh Government to introduce a wider ban, pointing to the UK Government’s consultation on banning bottom trawling in 41 English MPAs, covering over 30,000km².

Finch-Saunders said: “Stopping this wicked trawling in MPAs would be one of the most impactful steps that this Welsh Government could take in meeting nature and climate commitments for protecting and effectively managing 30% of our sea by 2030.”

She referenced a ban in Lyme Bay, south-west England, which resulted in a 430% increase in species richness, saying it demonstrated the potential for marine recovery.

Scallop dredging and Gower cockling raised

Labour MS Joyce Watson echoed concerns, raising long-standing opposition to scallop dredging in Cardigan Bay’s special area of conservation.

“Scallop dredging, like other forms of dredging, is an incredibly destructive fishing practice – the entire structure of the seabed is damaged as rakes are dragged along,” she said.

Labour’s Carolyn Thomas shared her horror at scenes in David Attenborough’s Ocean documentary, but said there was hope: “It did say there was hope, that if bottom trawling ended – the ecosystems, the biodiversity could soon recover.”

Meanwhile, Conservative MS Tom Giffard warned of unsustainable cockling in Penclawdd, Gower, after legislative changes led to an influx of gatherers.

“Residents are very worried that the seabed is not being protected and the future viability of cockles in Penclawdd is not being protected either,” he said.

Calls for balance

Saundersfoot’s razor clam harvesting also came under fire, with Conservative MS Sam Kurtz describing the practice as extractive and poorly controlled, even when done for “personal use”.

However, James Evans MS cautioned against overregulation, stressing the need to consider fishermen’s livelihoods.

“I do worry sometimes about banning things or overregulation for the simple reason that a lot of our fishermen make a living out of the sea,” he said.

Welsh Government response

Responding to the debate, Deputy First Minister Huw Irranca-Davies said bottom trawling around Wales was “relatively limited” and pointed to joint management of the king scallop fishery with England as an example of sustainable practice.

“We have robust management processes in place to protect our marine environment,” he said. “And we will react to any evidence which confirms the need for additional measures.”

He pledged a “proportionate, evidence-led” approach to any future restrictions.

News

Control of £547m Local Growth Fund returns to Wales

Published

13 hours ago

March 22, 2026

Tom Sinclair

CONTROL of a £547m Local Growth Fund has been returned to the Welsh Government, with ministers setting out plans to use the money to boost the nation’s economy over the next three years.

During a visit to Ebbw Vale on Friday (Mar 20), First Minister Eluned Morgan is expected to outline details of a new Investment Plan, endorsed by both the Welsh and UK governments. The plan sets out how funding will be allocated across priority areas and within Wales’ four economic regions.

The fund will focus on three key areas: supporting productive and competitive businesses, improving skills and helping people into work, and investing in infrastructure.

Ministers say the programme is designed to empower regional decision-making while targeting areas with the greatest economic need. The aim is to increase productivity, support business growth and create better-paid jobs across Wales.

Funding will be distributed based on tailored regional plans, reflecting local strengths and opportunities, including sectors such as advanced manufacturing and clean energy.

The First Minister, Eluned Morgan said: “I’m really pleased decisions on this post-EU funding, which is so important in supporting regional and local economic growth in Wales, are being returned to the Welsh Government.

“We want to use all the levers we have to stimulate economic growth, especially in parts of Wales where economic inactivity and unemployment are higher and wages are lower.”

The Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning, Rebecca Evans added: “The Local Growth Fund for Wales will help create and secure jobs in key industries, providing exciting opportunities for people to develop high-quality, long-term careers.

“We will work with local government and other partners to ensure the fund is used effectively to create jobs, unlock growth and deliver for Wales.”

Secretary of State for Wales, Jo Stevens said: “This transformational funding will create jobs, boost productivity and support economic growth across all parts of Wales.

“Decisions about how funding is used in Wales are best made in Wales, and this agreement delivers our commitment to return control of post-EU funding to Wales.

“It is another example of the UK and Welsh governments working together to deliver for our communities.”

Community

Weather presenter spotted filming in Pembrokeshire

Published

16 hours ago

March 22, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A WELL-KNOWN Welsh weather presenter was spotted in Pembrokeshire as he filmed scenes for a new series celebrating the county’s coastline.

Derek Brockway, who has been a familiar face on BBC Wales since 1995, was in St Davids recently working on another instalment of his popular walking series along the Pembrokeshire Coast.

Local resident Thomas Tudor said it was “lovely” to meet the broadcaster during filming, posing for a photograph alongside his mother, Beryl Tudor, and sister, Bethan Thomas Price.

Brockway, who is based at BBC Cymru Wales in Cardiff, is widely known not only for his weather forecasts across television, radio and online, but also for his programmes showcasing Wales’ landscapes and coastal paths.

The latest filming in St Davids is expected to form part of an upcoming series highlighting the natural beauty and walking routes of Pembrokeshire, an area long regarded as one of the jewels in Wales’ tourism crown.

Ministry of Defence

Defence families in Wales to save up to £6,000 under new childcare scheme

Published

16 hours ago

March 22, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A MAJOR new childcare support scheme for Armed Forces families will be rolled out across Wales from September 2026, the UK Government has announced.

The initiative is expected to save eligible families up to £6,000 per child each year, providing a significant boost to household finances amid ongoing cost-of-living pressures.

The scheme will be delivered through the Ministry of Defence’s existing Early Years childcare reimbursement system and will bring Wales in line with the level of support already available to forces families in England.

Today, 19/03/2026 The Secretary of State for Defence John Healey visited Dreghorn Barracks, Edinburgh, home to 3rd Battalion the Rifles. He met with families to launch a new scheme for Defence Families in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Ministers say the move is part of a wider effort to improve recruitment and retention in the Armed Forces, with childcare costs identified as a key pressure affecting morale.

The new support will cover children from nine months old until they reach three years of age in Wales and Scotland, and up to four years old in Northern Ireland.

Defence Secretary John Healey MP announced the scheme during a visit to Dreghorn Barracks in Edinburgh.

He said: “Our Armed Forces families are at the heart of our nation’s security. As the demands on defence increase, it is right that we step up our support for those who serve.

“This offer will ensure more military families get the childcare support they need, wherever they are posted.”

Secretary of State for Wales Jo Stevens added: “Service families in Wales make huge sacrifices and deserve the best possible support.

“They contribute not only to our national security but also to the Welsh economy. This scheme delivers meaningful help with the cost of childcare.”

The scheme will reimburse the difference in early years childcare costs for eligible working families. To qualify, both parents must be in employment and meet the income thresholds required for a Tax-Free Childcare account.

Hundreds of families across Wales are expected to benefit.

The announcement forms part of a broader package of support introduced since July 2024, including improved military housing, the largest Armed Forces pay rise in two decades, and plans to strengthen the Armed Forces Covenant in law.

Further details will be provided in the coming months, with families encouraged to begin considering childcare arrangements ahead of the scheme’s launch.