Wales Coasts and Seas Partnership (CaSP Cymru): 22 February 2024

David Tudor: Cadeirydd PMaA Cymru / CaSP Cymru Chair
Kam Tang: Swansea University/Coastal Alliance Wales
Mark Rychnovsky: Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water
Simon Preddy: Keep Wales Tidy
Chloe Wenman: Marine Conservation Society
Gareth Cunningham: Marine Conservation Society
Tom Hill: Marine Energy Wales
Katherine Griffith: Natural Resources Wales
Kirsty Lindenbaum: Natural Resources Wales
Rhian Jardine: Natural Resources Wales
Tom Luddington: Pembrokeshire Coastal Forum
Rowena Haines: RSPB
Jennifer Godwin: Seabed Users and Developers Group
John Wrottesley: European Subsea Cables Association
Alys Morris: Severn Estuary Partnership
Jacob Kevern: Severn Estuary Partnership
Katie Havard-Smith: Severn Estuary Partnership
Rhoda Ballinger: Severn Estuary Partnership
Phillip Turner: The Crown Estate
Rebecca Williams: The Crown Estate
Rachel Sharp: Wildlife Trusts Wales
Gary Douch: WG, Fisheries,
Samuel Dorrington: WG, Apprentice, Marine Resilience and Climate Change
Robert Bailey: WG, Decarbonisation & Climate Risk
Caryn Le Roux: WG, Head of Marine Resilience and Climate Change
Camille Domy: WG, Marine & Biodiversity
Elen King: WG, Marine Planning Implementation Manager
Rose Malleson: WG, Marine & Biodiversity, 

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

DT provided an update to the group regarding his recent meeting to update the Minister on CaSP’s work since October 2023. Key highlights included updates on the building capacity fund coastal projects and discussions on fostering collaboration with local authorities, the WLGA, and coastal groups.  The Minister was interested in establishing connections with the Chair of the coastal groups. 

The new Marine Biodiversity Expert group within CASP was discussed, with the Minister asking about its integration with other biodiversity initiatives, the seagrass working group and the importance of funding in biodiversity. The Crown Estate leasing process was discussed, with the Minister committed to open data sharing for mapping and future environmental considerations. DT concluded by highlighting the Minister's dedication to inclusivity and equal access to the coast, aligning with previous discussions on ocean literacy. 

Caryn Le Roux (CLR) ran through the actions from the last meeting and provided an update on progress, summarised below:

• green financing work with the Under Coalition:  contact has been made with the relevant policy team with the intention of arranging a presentation for the Blue Investment Working Group
• contact Children's Commissioner: CLR followed up on the Minister's contact, linking up with the Children in Wales process. This involves putting documents, strategies, and products through a process for children to understand
• launch a Biodiversity Expert Group: This action has been completed
• ocean literacy toolkit for Members of the Coasts and Seas Partnership: Kath Hughes (NRW) is managing this on her list of tasks to raise awareness about ocean literacy
• promoting CaSP: All members are encouraged to talk about the Coasts and Seas Partnership in their meetings, and there appears to be a positive trend of people sharing information about CaSP and its work
• coastal futures presentation: Jetske Germing presented at Coastal Futures on behalf of CaSP, which was a successful high-profile event
• progressing the Project on Baselines: CLR incorporated this into a workshop session to discuss success measures later in this meeting
• update on Nature Service Wales: A further update to be provided by John Parker for circulation
• Building Capacity working group: DT will discuss this later in the meeting
• consultation on Biodiversity Targets and White Paper: Consultation now open, closes on 22 April

Kirsty Lindenbaum (KL) provided a presentation on the progress of the Ocean Literacy working group. The presentation outlined the development of the strategy and action plan, with a vision for understanding and valuing the Welsh coast and seas. 

Workshops were held in January to refine and gather input on the strategy, engaging 150 stakeholders. A successful bid to the Coastal Capacity Building Fund was detailed, with allocated funds for outreach, a Coasts and Seas Partnership website, branding, and an animation on ocean literacy in Wales. The funding will also support the Ocean Literacy Network, analyse survey data, and plan a "Festival of the Sea." KL shared upcoming plans, including events, strategy refinement, and consultation in April, recognising the need for ongoing collaboration and maintenance of the website. The presentation concluded with a Q&A session:

• Jen Godwin (JG) inquired about the opportunity for CaSP to review and provide input on the strategy before the official consultation. KL affirmed CaSP could provide input at any time, with plans to circulate the draft again
• DT inquired about the Festival of the Sea funding. KL clarified that the funding includes a post to plan the festival, pilot events, and potentially bid for further funding for a series of events in the future
• KL provided insights into the deeper analysis of the Ocean Literacy Survey, explaining the need for a more detailed examination of the Welsh data, breaking down information by factors like age groups to gain a more nuanced understanding
• CLR raised a question regarding the "Motion for the Ocean" initiative, and its England-centric approach. KL acknowledged the concerns and mentioned that Becky McDonald Lofts is adapting it for Wales, with Rachel Sharp (RS) confirming that it will soon be available on their website, specifically tailored for Wales

Actions 

KL: To share the strategy again and make everyone aware of the timescale for feedback/comments.

Samuel Dorrington (SD): To circulate the job advert ‘Wales Ocean Literacy Co-ordinator’ in next newsletter. 

CLR: Bring the ‘Motion for the ocean’ back to the main group when it has been published to see whether it is something that CaSP should be promoting.

• responsible investment principles 
  The Finance Earth report has been completed but has not been widely circulated yet. The responsible investment principles will undergo consultation, with a commitment from the Minister to publish them by the end of the year. CLR suggested that a review of these principles could be conducted in a future Blue Investment meeting to ensure their incorporation into the Marine Fund. 
  RS added that attracting enough resources to address the nature crisis would require private financing. Investment principles are neutral and politically acceptable, and the Minister expressed positivity around green financing in a budgetary scrutiny session. RS anticipated a positive shift in approach to green financing with the new First Minister in March
   
• MARINE Fund (formally named WREEF) 
  Gareth Cunningham (GC) provided an update on the progress of the MARINE (Marine Resilience and Improvement of Natural Ecosystems) Fund and its aim to seek investment in programmes that enhance the resilience of marine and coastal ecosystems, aligning with Welsh Government principles on responsible investment in natural capital. The fund will target not only developers but also philanthropic opportunities, emphasising alignment with the deep dive and well-being for future generations
  
  A business case has been approved for WCVA to procure legal advice crucial for investor protection. The tender for that is expected to go live this month, commissioned in March, and potentially completed around May. Future plans involve submitting a Heritage Lottery Fund application in early April to secure a dedicated post for building the fund and developer relationships. Developer engagement is slated for March, with introduction events and networking sessions in May, aiming to open the fund for applications by June or early July
  
  CLR raised the need to ensure governance is in place before moving forward so dates will need adjusting
  
  RS inquired why the Coastal Capacity Building Fund is not considered for the first-year work on the project. CLR explained that the Coastal Capacity Building Fund will not be open for the next year, however other funding avenues might be explored
  
  JG suggested involving trade bodies rather than specific companies for a broader perspective. She offered to assist with governance and terms of reference, considering the challenges discussed in the England-based task and Finish Group
  
  DT suggested restarting the conversation with Sarah Brown from SMEEF and CLR agreed to follow up

Actions 

CLR/GC/WCVA: Consider other sources of funding for the set-up costs for the MARINE fund.

CLR/SD: Circulate a progress report from WCVA update once finalised. 

CLR: Incorporate responsible investment principles into the next Blue Investment meeting.

CLR: Restart the conversation with Sarah Brown from SMEEF.

• Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) 
  DT gave a presentation on EDI within the marine and coastal sector
  
  The presentation identified challenges in marine science education, where studies show it’s the least ethnically diverse subject area in the UK. There are four key areas of focus: addressing inequality in access to blue spaces, tackling pre-sector and school-related issues, improving diversity in higher education, and ensuring inclusivity within workplaces
  
  DT made a business case for EDI, its positive impact on productivity and business outcomes and the importance of creating a welcoming workplace and removing financial barriers.  The need for inclusive recruitment practices was highlighted. DT also proposed initiatives for CaSP, including internship schemes for members and collaboration with existing programmes
  
  DT gave examples of existing initiatives in the sector, such as inclusive wave schools and influencer schemes, and concluded by mentioning an upcoming report on EDI in the marine and coastal sector, scheduled for release in March
  
  JG shared that she reached out to industry members and discovered that many trade bodies have their own diversity improvement programmes. While acknowledging that SUDG may not directly engage in internships, JG emphasised the importance of keeping diversity efforts in mind and staying connected with industry bodies involved in such initiatives
  
  Phillip Turner (PT) from the Crown Estate shared insights into their experience with internships and PhD studentships. He highlighted challenges related to internships not meeting living wage standards in some cases and the need to address financial barriers. PT expressed interest in exploring more aspects of this work and suggested potential ties with the Ocean Institute group. He also mentioned considering the marine career perspective when planning events for the Festival of the Sea
   
• Coastal Capacity Building Fund 
  Gary Douch (GD) outlined the background, purpose, and financial profile of the fund, then provided an update on projects funded through the Coastal Capacity Fund. GD briefly summarised each project and their duration. He highlighted the importance of engagement throughout the projects and expressed a desire for early visibility rather than waiting until the end for reporting
  
  Additionally, GD touched on the Welsh Marine and Fisheries Scheme, indicating a forthcoming announcement for funding round four. This round will have a broader eligibility scope and a significant focus on capital funding. GD encouraged stakeholders, including capacity-building projects, to consider submitting proposals for funding opportunities
   
• Just Transition framework 
  Robert Bailey (RB), Welsh Government - Decarbonisation & Climate Risk team, gave a presentation on the Just Transition Framework; emphasising the importance of a fair transition as Wales decarbonises its economy
  
  RB highlighted the international collaboration with the Just Transition Task Force and the call for evidence to develop reports. The framework, currently open for consultation until March, aims to create a shared vision for Wales post -decarbonisation
  
  He outlined three main pillars of the framework: integration into decision-making, analysing impacts and opportunities, and mobilising stakeholders. The consultation process includes seeking public input on the vision for Wales after the transition
  
  RB discussed the objectives of the framework, focusing on fairness, well-being, and learning from past transitions. Guiding principles include involvement, prioritisation, and integrating social, economic, and environmental impacts
  
  RB emphasised the importance of involving people in decision-making. He acknowledged the challenge of defining justice due to various interpretations and need for continuous engagement
  
  RB encouraged organisations to consider how the framework applies to their transition plans and the importance of involving communities and prioritising impacted individuals. He mentioned the ongoing engagement and the need for responses to the consultation before the March deadline
   
• working group ToR and inaugural meeting
  DT introduced set up of a Capacity Building Working Group and the need to develop the existing outline proposal into a formal Terms of Reference
  
  DT acknowledged the further time commitment and expressed hope for a diverse group, including representatives from coastal partnerships, and the new fora funded by the CCBF
  
  DT concluded by stating that the refined Terms of Reference would be circulated, a date for the group would be set, and invitations would be extended, targeting individuals with relevant expertise

Actions

DT to share EDI in the marine sector report when published.

GD: Circulate a list with all the lead organisations from the Coastal Capacity Building Fund.

SD: Circulate details of Round Four of the Wales Marine and Fisheries Scheme when released. 

SD: Recirculate ‘The Just Transition’ link everyone encouraged to feedback on that as appropriately as they can. Circulate RB's contact details to contact him about any kind of late feedback.

DT: Encourage Capacity Building Working Group to consider thoughts around the Just Transition in its activities.

DT: Organise and chair an inaugural meeting for a Capacity Building Working Group.

RW began by giving an overview of the Crown Estate (TCE), emphasising it is a large and complex organisation with distinct delivery areas. She highlighted their role in contributing to national needs, including energy security, net zero, economic growth, biodiversity, and nature recovery.

RW discussed the Crown Estate's strategy, aligning it with the Well-being of Future Generations Act. With reference to the net zero strategy, and the need for a climate-resilient future, she pointed out the success of the UK in offshore wind projects and the need for Wales to leverage its position. RW stressed the significance of supporting different industries’ use of the seabed, including floating offshore wind, and navigating the increasing demands on the seabed.

The focus shifted to Round 5, the Celtic Sea leasing, marking a substantial opportunity for offshore wind deployment. RW outlined the challenges of achieving a balance between environmental considerations, community impact, and industry development. She discussed the steps taken to de-risk projects, including significant investments in data and evidence collection. RW detailed the timeline, mentioning the recent bidders' day and  the upcoming procurement process. She emphasised the importance of community resilience and engagement throughout the lengthy development process.

RW brought attention to the environmental aspect, stressing nature enhancement over mere offsetting. She acknowledged the complexity of developing a nature strategy aligned with the overall development strategy. The presentation concluded with RW highlighting the collaborative approach, collaborating with partners, stakeholders, and organisations to address challenges and make informed decisions. She emphasised the early stage of adopting a holistic, whole-of-seabed approach for more structured and planned seabed management, expressing a commitment to learning lessons and collaborating for long-term success.

The presentation concluded with responses and questions from CaSP:

• DT opened by acknowledging the significance of the upcoming offshore wind leasing process in the Celtic Sea. He highlighted that this marks a major development for the southwest of Britain and Wales
   
• JG appreciated the holistic approach discussed by RW in considering the entire seabed and its connection to other infrastructure. She also acknowledged the inclusion of nature in the planning process
   
• DT asked RW to elaborate on the concept of the "whole of seabed approach". RW explained that it involves collaborating with partners to understand the long-term needs, make coordinated decisions, and ensure a pipeline of development
   
• PT emphasised the ongoing spatial analysis and data gathering for the whole of seabed programme. The focus is on collaborating with stakeholders to gather nature-related data layers, ensuring that nature is considered alongside other sectors
   
• RS expressed concerns about the maintenance of floating offshore structures and the unclear aspects of cabling, especially in the Celtic deep. She stressed the need for open dialogue and collaboration and mentioned ongoing conversations with UK colleagues
   
• RS also discussed the importance of addressing cumulative impacts and suggested the development of an all-Wales spatial marine plan to understand and manage various pressures. RW acknowledged the need for a balanced approach and highlighted the importance of evidence-based decision-making
   
• CLR offered the group's support in terms of co-ordination and engagement. RW welcomed the offer and expressed a willingness to have further discussions offline to explore collaboration opportunities
   
• KL highlighted the importance of explaining to the public how different organisations are working together. RW agreed, emphasising the need to communicate a coherent story to the wider audience as the impact of development is felt in communities

Actions

DT/PT: Bring a ‘Whole of Seabed’ item to the next CASP meeting, to introduce the programme and what has been done to date. This could be followed by a more detailed item regarding spatial scenarios when available, at a future Marine Biodiversity Expert Group meeting. 

KL gave a presentation providing an overview of the newly established group and its focus on marine conservation, resilient ecosystems, and biodiversity. 

The draft terms of reference include sharing learning, joint working, horizon scanning, and avoiding duplication of existing work. KL shared insights from the first meeting in February, which focused on mapping opportunities for restoration and enhancement. Future meetings are proposed to cover topics like the White Paper and other themes identified by the group, fostering deep discussions and collaboration among members. The presentation concluded with a brief overview of the initial meeting's discussions on strategic mapping, challenges, opportunities, evidence gaps, and collaborative approaches to move the work forward.

NRW provide the Secretariat for the group, and anyone interested in becoming a regular member should contact Jenny Oates, NRW.

CLR provided an update on the management group consisting of theme leads KL, GC, and DT, along with the secretariat. The group has discussed the progress of the partnership, future plans, and the need for an iterative and evolving delivery plan. 

CLR presented a list of outstanding actions derived from the initial CaSP workshop in December 2021; most are already in progress through the various working groups. She then presented the existing delivery plan, outlining the CaSP aims, drivers, priorities, success measures, objectives, and actions. 

The Management Group aims to update the existing plan for delivery to the end of the Senedd Term.  To inform this, CLR shared a link to an interactive brainstorming session with two tasks.

Task 1: timeline to end of Senedd term

To add any events/publications/milestones occurring over the next two years which may relate to CaSP outputs over that term or will provide useful information for our themes of work. 

Task 2: success measures for CaSP themes of work

To add any specific measures which relate to the CaSP outcomes of increasing ocean literacy, improving sustainable investment for the marine environment and capacity building.  This will help us to baseline and then evaluate the impact of these work areas.

The outcome of this session will be reviewed by the management group and next steps will be shared at the next CaSP meeting.

Actions

CLR: To summarise and circulate the tasks for the Delivery review session, with some more instructions, to those who could not attend today.

CLR and SD provided a brief update on various aspects: 

• upcoming management group meeting on April 10th, inviting any interested individuals to join the discussions on the delivery plan
• plans to homogenise terms of references across different groups within the partnership to ensure consistency and cohesion
• a planned membership survey to update records, refresh contacts, refine membership lists and  tailor information accordingly. The survey will cover GDPR agreement, terms of reference acceptance, and inquire about group involvement

And sought feedback on the effectiveness of newsletters, welcoming suggestions for improvement.

Actions

SD to finalise and circulate membership survey.

1. Rhian Jardine (RJ) raised a question regarding engagement with the fishery sector, expressing concern about their reduced participation in meetings. CLR acknowledged the need for increased engagement and mentioned ongoing discussions with WG fisheries colleagues, particularly regarding fisheries management plans. 
2. RS expressed frustration about the delay in implementing fishing gear assessments despite recommendations. She requested an explanation for the lack of progress. CLR to seek a response.
3. JG then shared information about the Considerations for Marine Spatial Prioritisation document resulting from workshops with industry, NFFO, and NGOs. The document, aimed at marine spatial planning, was recently published, and JG offered to share it with the group.
4. Katie Havard-Smith (KHS) provided updates from the Severn Estuary Partnership, mentioning their hiring process for a new position and plans to implement recommendations from the Seven Vision project.
5. Mark Rychnovsky (MR) shared information about a storm overflow map available on their website, providing near-real-time information on bathing water quality and potential applications for shellfish waters.

Full partnership meetings in 2024:

• June 13^th, venue to be confirmed, likely North Wales but hybrid option will be included
• October to be confirmed

Working groups scheduled meetings:

• Blue Investment Working Group – Monthly on 2^nd Thursday of the month
• Ocean Literacy Working Group – Monday 4^th  March
• Capacity Building Working Group – Wednesday 27^th March

KL: To share the strategy again and make everyone aware of the timescale for feedback/comments.

SD: To circulate the job advert ‘Wales Ocean Literacy Co-ordinator’ in next newsletter. 

CLR: Bring the ‘Motion for the ocean’ back to the main group when it has been published to see whether it is something that CaSP should be promoting.

CLR/GC/WCVA: Consider other sources of funding for the set-up costs for the MARINE fund.

CLR/SD: Circulate a progress report from WCVA update once finalised. 

CLR: Incorporate responsible investment principles into the next Blue Investment meeting.

CLR: Restart the conversation with Sarah Brown from SMEEF

DT to share EDI in the marine sector report when published.

GD: Circulate a list with all the lead organisations from the Coastal Capacity Building Fund.

SD: Circulate details of Round Four of the Wales Marine and Fisheries Scheme when released. 

SD: Recirculate ‘The Just Transition’ link everyone encouraged to feedback on that as appropriately as they can. Circulate RB's contact details to contact him about any kind of late feedback.

DT: Encourage Capacity Building Working Group to consider thoughts around the Just Transition in its activities.

DT: Organise and chair an inaugural meeting for a Capacity Building Working Group.

DT/PT: Bring a ‘Whole of Seabed’ item to the next CASP meeting, to introduce the programme and what has been done to date. This could be followed by a more detailed item regarding spatial scenarios when available, at a future Marine Biodiversity Expert Group meeting.

CLR: To summarise and circulate the tasks for the Delivery review session, with some more instructions, to those who could not attend today.

SD to finalise and circulate membership survey.