PCF receives funding for Wales Activity Mapping Project

Pembrokeshire Coastal Forum (PCF) has been awarded £24,500 by Welsh Government to part fund the continuation of their Wales Activity Mapping Project.

Wales Activity Mapping (WAM) is a collaborative stakeholder project which provides detailed information on a range of marine and coastal activities, displayed in a GIS mapping system. Funding will also be provided by Natural Resources Wales and the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority.

The project will map the type, amount and location of recreational activities taking place on the South West Wales coastline. Data was initially compiled in 2008, and PCF will be working collaboratively with many stakeholders to compare changes to the original data collection.

The project will also record management issues and carry out ground-breaking work on carrying capacity and recreational impacts. The data collected will aid conservation, tourism and planning bodies and will aim to help inform a joined-up approach to managing designated sites.

The Minister for Environment, Energy and Rural Affairs, Lesley Griffiths said,

“I am pleased we have been able to provide funding to continue the Pembrokeshire Coastal Forum’s Wales Activity Mapping Project. Updated data gathered from the project will help give us a better understanding of tourism and recreation activity along the South West Wales coastline. It will also help inform longer term work by Welsh Government to support the development of this important sector through the Welsh National Marine Plan.”

With coastal activity tourism trends not fully understood, a proactive approach to managing recreation is crucial to ensure the long-term sustainability of the tourism and recreation industry in Wales. The project will help address a key evidence need identified by the draft Welsh National Marine Plan.

For further information visit www.walesactivitymapping.org.uk or contact Paul Renfro or Alec Denny.