KIRSTY WILLIAMS AM TAKES TO THE SEA OFF NEW QUAY (Kirsty Williams AM )

Cymraeg
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Kirsty Williams AM <info@kirstywilliams.org.uk>

KIRSTY WILLIAMS AM TAKES TO THE SEA OFF NEW QUAY

July 21, 2009 3:00 PM

Kirsty Williams AM and Mark Williams MP are pictured with Steve Hartley on his boat the 'Sulaire', on Cardigan Bay.

Ceredigion MP Mark Williams accompanied Welsh Liberal Democrat leader Kirsty Williams AM on a fact-finding trip of Cardigan Bay last weekend. Local Welsh Lib Dem MP Mr Williams organised a research trip for the Brecon and Radnor AM with New Quay's Steve Hartley of the Cardigan Bay Marine Wildlife Centre.

During their hour long boat trip in Cardigan Bay, Mark Williams and Steve Hartley gave Kirsty Williams an insight into the issues facing Cardigan Bay. Main issues of concern and of discussion were the impact that industrial scallop dredging is having on the marine environment in the Bay and also the on-going debate about oil drilling. They also discussed current legislation that is going through Parliament and how it can be strengthened to protect the local marine habitat.

After reaching dry land, Welsh Lib Dem leader Kirsty Williams AM said: "I was delighted to be invited by Mark Williams to meet Steve Hartley and to be given a boat ride around Cardigan Bay. We discussed the issues of concern for those whose livlihoods depend on the Bay and as an Assembly Member from a land-locked neighbouring constituency I found the opportnuinty to focus on marine issues extremely valuable".

"There are real concerns about industrial scale scallop dredging in the Bay and how that effects both the marine environment whilst making it more difficult for local fisherman to make a living. I can go back to the Assembly after the summer recess and put across to the Rural Affairs Minister Elin Jones these very legitimate concerns".

Ceredigion's MP Mark Williams, who spoke in a debate in the House of Commons on the Marine Bill before the summer recess added: "The future of Cardigan Bay is fundamentally linked with Ceredigion's economy and our county's future prosperity. Tourism is a central plank in our efforts locally to bounce back against the recession and we need to do all that we can to harness our natural potential.

"This is why I wanted to bring Kirsty Williams over to Ceredigion so she can see for herself the issues that we're facing. I recently spoke in Parliament during the debate on the Marine Bill and any support that we can receive from our colleagues in the Welsh Assembly will be of great added help".

ENDS

Notes to the Editor:

Kirsty Williams AM and Mark Williams MP are pictured with Steve Hartley on his boat the 'Sulaire', on Cardigan Bay.