Nearly £1 million has been secured to support a major three-year marine biosecurity project.
The Aberdaugleddau Biosecurity Community Development (ABCD) project will focus on the Milford Haven Waterway, aiming to tackle the introduction and spread of marine invasive non-native species with a coordinated, long-term approach.
The project is funded by £959,180 from the Nature Networks Fund, which supports actions to strengthen the resilience of marine ecosystems.
Tom Sawyer, chief executive of the Port of Milford Haven, said: “We are absolutely delighted to be leading this important partnership project alongside some great partner organisations.
“The Milford Haven Waterway is central to our communities, economy and natural heritage, and invasive non-native species pose a growing threat to its ecological health.
“This funding allows us and our partners to put sector leading biosecurity measures in place, supporting local businesses while safeguarding the Pembrokeshire Marine SAC and the wider marine environment for the long term.”
The ABCD project will deliver a mix of capital infrastructure, staff training, public guidance, and monitoring – supported by new technologies such as environmental DNA.
It directly supports the Pembrokeshire Marine SAC Biosecurity Action Plan and related Pathway Action Plans, building on previous work by consultants APEM Ltd.
A cornerstone of the project is the installation of vessel washdown facilities at boatyards around the waterway.
These facilities will capture and manage biofouling from thousands of vessel washdowns, preventing the release of harmful non-native species back into the marine environment.
Sue Burton, Pembrokeshire Marine SAC officer, said: “This marine biodiversity project is tackling one of the top five drivers of global biodiversity loss.
“Reducing marine INNS introduction and spread needs collective action to be successful, and this waterway-wide and collaborative approach is the ideal means of achieving this.”
The ABCD project will run from April 2026 to March 2029.
It is a partnership between the Port of Milford Haven, Dale Sailing, Rudders Boatyard, East Llanion Marine, Lawrenny Yacht Station, and Mainstay Marine Solutions.
The project will also work with Natural Resources Wales, the RYA Green Blue programme, the GB Non-Native Species Secretariat, and local water users.
