Safety and respect are top of the agenda with the launch of the new Menai Strait Code of Conduct in time for the summer holidays.
Backed by the Isle of Anglesey County Council, Menter Môn, Caernarfon Harbour Trust and Rib Ride, the code aims to ensure the Menai Strait is safe for everyone as well as protecting local marine wildlife.
Councillor Carwyn Elias Jones is portfolio holder for economic development, leisure and tourism at the Isle of Anglesey County Council. Speaking about the new code, he said: “Ensuring safety on the Menai Strait is a priority for us. This is a very busy stretch of water especially during the summer months so we were keen to work with partners to develop a code of conduct which has some important messages around being responsible on the water. We hope that it will benefit and influence the behaviours of all those who want to enjoy time on and close to the water.”
Phill Scott is owner of local adventure boat tour company, Rib Ride, he added: “We are out on the water everyday with our customers who are always amazed by the wildlife and the beautiful setting of the Menai Strait. But it is a challenging stretch of water and should be treated with respect - so we fully support the launch of this new code and look forward to seeing the benefits in they way people approach the water.”
Sioned Morgan Thomas is Project Director with Menter Môn who co-ordinated this work under the banner of their FLAG project: “We’d like to thank all the partners for being so ready to lend their voice and experience as we developed this important code. We hope it will make the Menai Strait more enjoyable for everyone and promote a mutual respect amongst users as well as for marine wildlife which is so important here.”
David John O’Neill, is Caernarfon Harbour Master he said: “We were very keen to ensure a unified approach to the management of navigation throughout the Menai Strait, and have worked with other stakeholders to create this code of conduct. We want to develop an ethos of respect between all water users and the environment, to ensure sustainable growth for the future.”
As well as launching the code of conduct, the partners have funded a training programme over the summer holidays. Based at Porth y Wrach in Menai Bridge, a qualified jet ski instructor will be on hand to provide information and help jet skiers as they launch. The hope is that this will reinforce the messages of the code of conduct and create a safe environment for all users of the Menai Strait.
Ends 13 July 2022
Further information
Please contact Llinos Iorwerth at Ateb on llinos@atebcymru.wales / 07970 997 124
Notes to editors
- The full code can be found here: https://www.anglesey.gov.wales/en/Residents/Maritime/Power-driven-craftpersonal-watercraft-launching-and-registration.aspx
- The county council is the Statutory Harbour Authority (SHA) around Menai Bridge with defined harbour limits. It is also the Local Lighthouse Authority responsible for the safe navigation of vessels through its water from the Menai Suspension bridge east to Puffin Island, managing the 11 red/green aids to navigation in the strait.
- Menter Môn is a social enterprise which works across Wales to deliver a range of regeneration, environmental and cultural projects for the benefit of local communities. By working in partnership with government, the third sector, business and individuals, Menter Môn attracts funding from different sources to add value and to contribute to creating a sustainable future.
- FLAG is the Fisheries Local Action Group. It supports fishing industry and associated coastal communities across north Wales. Menter Môn is responsible for the administration and running of the group.