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Campaigners are raising concerns that river pollution in Wales is negatively impacting the marine environment, effectively “suffocating our sea.”
WWF Cymru reports that excessive nutrient runoff from agricultural activities and sewage discharge is fueling the proliferation of algal blooms, which, in turn, are smothering the seabed.
Recent assessments by Natural Resources Wales (NRW), the environmental regulatory body, reveal that multiple protected areas along the Welsh coastline are suffering from nutrient pollution. These assessments indicate that over half of the species and habitats evaluated across these areas are in an unfavorable condition.
The Welsh government has acknowledged that these reports provide “critical information” necessary for improving the health of the marine environment.
NRW had previously confirmed that seven out of the nine most protected rivers in Wales, designated as special areas of conservation (SAC), are failing to meet water quality targets due, in part, to elevated nutrient levels.
The contributing factors to this issue include runoff and slurry spills from agricultural land, wastewater discharges, and industrial pollution.
This situation has already led to the imposition of restrictions on housebuilding along SAC rivers.
As WWF Cymru launches a manifesto of demands for politicians in anticipation of next year’s Senedd election, the organization warns that a similar detrimental pattern is now emerging in the marine environment.
The organization stated that pollution entering the sea from rivers is harming marine ecosystems and reducing the ocean’s capacity to store carbon, “making conditions for recovery or restoration of carbon-rich habitats, such as seagrass, challenging.”
The charity is advocating for a “strong recovery plan” for ocean habitats, supported by legal frameworks and adequate funding.
Similar to rivers, estuaries and specific marine areas surrounding Wales are protected for their ecologically significant habitats and wildlife.
NRW has characterized its report on the condition of these marine SACs and special protection areas (SPAs) as “the most extensive to date on the state of marine protected areas in Europe.”
The report assesses a total of 85 key features, ranging from rare species such as grey seals and otters to protected habitats like mudflats and saltmarshes.
Across both SACs and SPAs, 55% of the assessed features are in unfavorable condition, while 38% are classified as favorable, and the status of 7% remains unknown.
NRW has identified nutrient pollution as “one of the main reasons” behind the ecological challenges at some sites.
Individual reports were prepared for seven SACs, with five of these failing to meet water quality targets due to excessive nutrient levels.
These include the Pembrokeshire Marine Special Area of Conservation, a well-known and popular tourist destination.
The reports indicate that dissolved inorganic nitrogen, primarily originating from agricultural runoff and pollution incidents, is the primary nutrient of concern in the marine environment.
However, the assessments also highlighted positive findings for bottlenose dolphins and grey seals in Welsh waters.
Welsh SACs are considered crucial for maintaining their populations, and both species were found to be in a favorable condition across Cardigan Bay, the Lleyn Peninsula, and Sarnau.
In the Pembrokeshire Marine SAC, where approximately 90% of Welsh seal pups are born, long-term data indicate that the population is growing.
Ric Cooper, who helps manage The Cleddau Project in Pembrokeshire, where volunteers are working to restore the Western and Eastern Cleddau rivers, shared his concerns.
“I live on the estuary and, like others, had become increasingly distraught with the state of the river,” he stated.
“It would often smell of sewage and sometimes slurry, and the life in the river was deteriorating before our eyes.”
“We have green algal banks, we have what they can algal mats in the summer months which are due to excess nutrients in the water, sunlight and warm temperatures.”
Mr. Cooper explained that the condition of the river and marine environment are “very linked,” but he felt the impact on the coast and sea was “almost like a forgotten story.”
“There hasn’t been the same pressure to improve things for the estuary as there has been for the freshwater Cleddau.”
He mentioned that the group, which has spent the past year coordinating a citizen science project monitoring water quality at 49 sites with the involvement of 100 volunteers, is eagerly awaiting the release of NRW’s reports.
“We want it to be highlighted that this water body is failing, it’s in a bad way and then the powers that be will have to decide what can be done about it.”
“We’re hoping this catalyses more action.”
Shea Buckland-Jones, head of policy and advocacy at WWF Cymru, stated that NRW’s assessments underscore “the terrible state of our waterways and the urgent action needed from Welsh government.”
“Sadly, the public do not need to view a report to appreciate the dire state of our waterways as it is all too apparent.”
“This is why there is so much support from across Wales to bring Welsh rivers back to full health,” he added, referencing polling commissioned by the charity.
The polling indicates that 87% of the Welsh public support action from the Welsh government to reduce and, where possible, eliminate river pollution caused by agriculture and sewage.
Results also show that 79% of those surveyed support restoring carbon-rich marine habitats such as seagrass, saltmarsh, and oyster reefs.
“As we have set out in our new manifesto this means sustained action to restore ecosystems and prevent all sources of river pollution, focusing on the two biggest sources; agriculture and sewage,” Mr. Buckland-Jones concluded.
A spokesperson for NFU Cymru stated that the farming union recognizes “the role that farmers have to play in maintaining and enhancing water quality in Wales.”
“Farmers take their environmental responsibilities seriously and NFU Cymru continues to work with partners to take action to reduce incidences of agricultural point source and diffuse pollution, where the evidence shows this is needed,” they added.
Welsh Water announced its plans to invest £4 billion, including £2.5 billion in environmental projects, between now and 2030.
“During the next two years we will be building on NRW’s work and carrying out investigations to understand the different sources of nutrients found in sea water whether from runoff water from the land or wastewater,” the company stated.
“River pollution and marine water quality is not just an issue for water companies. We need to work together with other sectors who impact water quality to ensure improvement.”
Mary Lewis from NRW noted that a significant amount of knowledge and expertise had been utilized “to produce such comprehensive evidence about the condition of our protected marine areas.”
“This will now provide an important baseline for us to monitor progress,” she said.
The Welsh government affirmed its commitment to “improving the health of our rivers and seas” and undertaking “a range of actions to improve water quality.”
This includes implementing “at pace all recommendations from the recent Control of Agricultural Pollution Regulations Review,” it added.
“We remain dedicated to developing and strengthening environmental law in Wales. The Environment (Principles, Governance and Biodiversity Targets) (Wales) Bill, recently laid in the Senedd, reflects the ongoing need to deliver transformative change, including tackling drivers of biodiversity loss such as nutrient pollution.”
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