Shadow Environment Minister visits Wildlife Trust reserve
Friday 31st July 2015
Janet Howarth AM (centre) visits Cemlyn nature reserve
The Welsh Shadow Environment Minister Janet Haworth AM visited one of North Wales Wildlife Trust’s nature reserves this week.
On Tuesday, the newly appointed Conservative Assembly Member for North Wales, joined conservation officers at Cemlyn, which is regarded by the Anglesey County Council as the "jewel in the crown" of its Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It is valued for both its scenic qualities and its unique range of wildlife and is as popular with general visitors as it is with birdwatchers and naturalists.
Ms Howarth AM is a member of the Welsh Assembly’s Environment and Sustainability Committee, whose remit is to scrutinise the maintenance, development and planning of Wales’s natural environment.
The purpose of the site visit was to showcase these habitats for marine wildlife and discuss current and future legislation to protect Wales’s marine environment. This includes potential new Marine Protected Areas for seabirds and harbour porpoises, the inclusion of marine issues in the draft Environment Bill and the capacity of the Wales National Marine Plan to both provide a framework for the sustainable development of Welsh seas and to safeguard Wales’s marine environment.
Joining Ms Howarth were representatives from Wildlife Trusts Wales and Marine Conservation Society, both of whom are part of the marine working group for the Wales Environment Link.
Ms Howarth, who is campaigning to protect roadside verges, said:
“I thoroughly enjoyed my visit today and it is so important that we protect beautiful places like these for the marine environment. I am committed to working with Wales Environment Link to help its delivery of the framework needed for the sustainable development of Welsh seas so that we can enjoy them for generations to come.”
“They are doing a marvellous job in Anglesey and the unspoilt countryside and the wildlife it supports help to attract thousands of visitors who make a vital contribution to the economy of the island.
“The people I met stressed the importance of the links between protecting and sustaining the wonderful natural environment we enjoy here in North Wales and I wholeheartedly agree.
Scott Fryer, Marine Campaign and Policy Officer for Wildlife Trusts Wales, said:
“We are very pleased that Ms Howarth was able to join us at Cemlyn which is one of many areas which are of vital importance to marine wildlife. We are at a critical stage to protect Welsh seas for the benefit of everyone in Wales and need to ensure that the correct legislation and policy is in place to effectively manage our seas now and for the future.”