Next steps for Marine Conservation Zones (MCZs)

We are listening to your ideas and responding to them before seeking further views.

We are creating a Task and Finish Team to take this work forward. The Team will report by April 2013. It will be a cross-cutting team, with members from Welsh Government and government agencies.

The Team will have members from:

• The Environment Agency, Wales;
• The Countryside Council for Wales;
• The Centre for Environment & Aquaculture Science;
• The Joint Nature Conservation Committee;
• Welsh Government Fisheries Unit; and
• Welsh Government Marine Branch.

More information on the terms of reference for this Team will be available soon.

We are also creating a new Stakeholder Focus Group to work alongside the Task and Finish Group. This Group will be used to test ideas and it will advise on practical solutions. The Group will contribute to, challenge and question the work of the Task and Finish Team.

Peter Davies, Wales’ Commissioner for Sustainable Futures will Chair this new stakeholder group. Members will be invited from:

• Business and industry sectors;
• Coastal/ community organisations;
• Environmental organisations;
• Fishing organisations;
• Local Government – county, town and community level;
• Recreation and leisure sectors;
• Tourism sector.