- Seven projects across six local authority areas receive a
share of £540,761
- Funding supports oyster restoration, marine monitoring,
harbour improvements and seafood trail development
- Scheme delivered through Wales Council for Voluntary Action
on behalf of Welsh Government
Seven coastal community projects across Wales will receive a
share of more than half a million pounds to improve marine
environments, strengthen local economies and build long-term
resilience for coastal communities and our fishing industry.
The projects - spanning Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Conwy,
Flintshire, Gwynedd and Ynys Môn - range from establishing a
purpose-built native oyster spatting pond in Laugharne to a new
community-led marine observatory programme across the Menai
Strait.
The funding supports work that includes citizen science
monitoring in Cardigan Bay, a sustainable seafood trail in Conwy,
harbour safety improvements at Connah's Quay and Amlwch Port, and
enhanced marine mammal monitoring in Gwynedd under the Clust i'r
Môr initiative.
, Cabinet Minister for Rural
Resilience and Sustainability, said:
Wales' coastal communities are the custodians of our richest
marine environments, and this funding backs their work to protect
and sustain them for future generations.
From restoring native oysters in Laugharne to monitoring marine
mammals off the Gwynedd coast, these projects show what local
knowledge and community action can achieve.
We're investing in clean seas, strong aquaculture and fisheries
supply chains and resilient coastal economies; because Wales's
coastline is one of our greatest assets."
Councillor Chris Dolphin, Cabinet Member for Environment,
Regeneration, Countryside and Tourism, Flintshire County Council,
said:
We are delighted to have been awarded Coastal Capacity Building
Funding!
We look forward to starting works at Connah's Quay Docks,
installing new commercial mooring rings, interpretation signage
and new benches.
These will make the area safer, with more opportunities for
commercial marine and fisheries use and for organised
recreational use.
This is a hugely important step on our journey towards completion
of our Flintshire Coast Park Management Plan for Connah's Quay
Hub.
Thanks to Connah's Quay Sea Cadets and local community groups, we
will be working with the community and Dock users on this
project.
Our community events will bring people together to clean up the
environment and work together to create spaces for people and
nature to flourish.
Notes to editors
- The Coastal Capacity Building Fund is delivered on behalf of
Welsh Government by Wales Council for Voluntary Action (WCVA)
under a contract running since 2023. Six projects funded in 2025
are currently in their second and final year, with a combined
value of £259,521 for the current financial year. The latest
funding round made available £540,761. Thirteen applications were
received totalling £1,032,457; seven were selected.
- Native Oyster Spatting Pond, Laugharne a purpose-built
native oyster spatting pond, creating biosecure spat production
capacity for reef restoration and sustainable aquaculture across
Wales
- Cardigan Bay Marine Monitoring and Coastal Resilience
Hub community-led marine evidence hub combining offshore
monitoring, vessel-based citizen science and public engagement
- Conwy Seafood Trail sustainable seafood trail
strengthening local supply chains, promoting marine awareness and
supporting coastal communities through education, tourism and
collaboration
- Connah's Quay Community Dock Development Project new
commercial mooring rings, interpretation boards, benches and
improved safety infrastructure
- Gwynedd Clust i'r Môr enhanced marine mammal
monitoring, community engagement and acoustic monitoring
protocols for high-energy coastal environments
- Ynys Môn Menai Strait Coastal Futures Programme
community-led marine observatory and fisheries resilience
programme using blue carbon science and circular economy
infrastructure
- Ynys Môn Amlwch Harbour Improvements new electrical
pedestals, marina distribution system, steel grating covers and a
telescopic folding dock crane at Amlwch Port
