A new initiative to improve marine biosecurity in the Milford Haven Waterway has been given the green light. Over the next three years, the Aberdaugleddau Biosecurity Community Development (ABCD) project will drive a coordinated approach to tackling the introduction and spread of marine invasive non-native species. Backed by £959,180 funding from the Nature Networks Fund, a programme delivered by the Heritage Fund on behalf of the Welsh Government, the project will help strengthen the resilience of this vital coastal ecosystem. 

Alongside capital infrastructure, the project will deliver training for boatyard staff, targeted guidance for water users, bilingual awareness raising resources promoting the Check Clean Dry campaign, and a programme of expert monitoring supported by new technologies such as environmental DNA. The work will directly support the implementation of the Pembrokeshire Marine (Special Area of Conservation (SAC) Biosecurity Action Plan and related Pathway Action Plans and builds on work by consultants APEM Ltd.

A key focus of the project is the installation of new vessel washdown facilities at multiple boatyards around the Waterway. These facilities will prevent harmful biofouling and associated non-native species from re-entering the marine environment, helping local businesses adopt consistent, high-quality biosecurity practices. By capturing and safely managing biofouling from thousands of vessel washdowns, the ABCD project will make a lasting contribution to improving the condition and resilience of the Pembrokeshire Marine SAC and the wider Welsh marine protected area network.

Tom Sawyer, CEO at 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.”

Sue Burton, the Pembrokeshire Marine SAC Officer added: “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 and will leave a lasting legacy of improved infrastructure, increased awareness, and stronger collaboration to tackle marine invasive species in Wales and beyond.

The ABCD project is a partnership between the Port of Milford Haven, Dale Sailing, Rudders Boatyard, East Llanion Marine, Lawrenny Yacht Station and Mainstay Marine Solutions. It will work collaboratively with Natural Resources Wales, the Pembrokeshire Marine Special Area of Conservation (SAC) Officer, RYA Green Blue programme, GB Non-Native Species Secretariat and local water users.

To find out more about the Port’s commitment to the environment, go to: www.mhpa.co.uk/about/environment-society-governance/environment/ 


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Photo caption: A key focus of the project is the installation of new vessel washdown facilities at multiple boatyards around the Waterway. Photo Credit: Rudder’s Boatyard.

Notes to Editors

Aberdaugleddau Biosecurity Community Development (ABCD)

The ABCD project is one of 28 projects awarded funding through the recent £15m Nature Networks Fund announced by the Heritage Fund on behalf of the Welsh Government and in partnership with Natural Resources Wales. 

The Nature Networks Fund is a key component of the Nature Network Programme launched in 2021. It supports Welsh Government's commitment to the Global Biodiversity Framework "30 by 30" goal, which aims to protect 30% of the planet's land, freshwater and seas by 2030. The Fund aims to strengthen the resilience of Wales' protected land and marine sites and accelerate nature’s recovery.

Aberdaugleddau Biosecurity Community Development (ABCD) is a partnership project focused on reducing the introduction and spread of invasive non-native species (INNS) in the Milford Haven Waterway through improved vessel washdown infrastructure, monitoring, training and engagement.

The project supports the protection and recovery of the Pembrokeshire Marine Special Area of Conservation (SAC), one of the largest marine SACs in Wales, designated for its internationally important habitats and species.

Invasive non-native species are recognised as one of the leading drivers of biodiversity loss globally. In the marine environment, prevention through effective biosecurity is the most cost effective and practical management approach.

The ABCD project will be delivered from April 2026 to March 2029 and will implement actions from the Pembrokeshire Marine SAC Biosecurity Action Plan and relevant Pathway Action Plans.

The Port of Milford Haven is the statutory harbour authority for the Milford Haven Waterway and hosts the Pembrokeshire Marine SAC Officer on behalf of the site’s relevant authorities.

Port of Milford Haven

The Port of Milford Haven is the UK’s top energy port and Wales’ busiest port handling around 20% of Britain’s seaborne trade in oil and gas.  It is widely recognised in the industry as the energy capital of the UK.

The Port, along with the cluster of energy-related businesses along the Waterway, is a key driver of economic activity in Pembrokeshire, attracting inward investment and supporting over 4,000 jobs.

The Port of Milford Haven also owns and operates Pembroke Port and Milford Waterfront. Activities such as cargo handling, ferry operations, fish landing and cruise calls as well as a first class marina are spread across these two sites. 

One of the most prominent on the West Coast, the Port is in the heart of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, the only Coastal National Park in Great Britain. It is marked as a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and has many areas designated as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).

The Port of Milford Haven is a trust port – an independent, commercially run organisation that has statutory responsibilities governed by its Acts, to maintain and improve navigation and the provision of Port and Harbour services and facilities.  Additionally, the Port provides significant financial and in-kind support to a wide variety of local causes.  All profits are retained within the business to fund these objectives. 

For further information, visit www.mhpa.co.uk or contact:

Anna Malloy
Port of Milford Haven
01646 696100
anna.malloy@mhpa.co.uk  

 

£959,180 o gyllid wedi'i sicrhau i hybu bioddiogelwch morol ar draws dyfrffordd Aberdaugleddau 

Mae menter newydd i wella bioddiogelwch morol yn Nyfrffordd Aberdaugleddau wedi’i chymeradwyo. Dros y tair blynedd nesaf, bydd prosiect Datblygiad Cymunedol Bioddiogelwch Aberdaugleddau (ABCD) yn sbarduno dull cydgysylltiedig o fynd i'r afael â rhywogaethau estron goresgynnol morol sy’n cael eu cyflwyno ac yn lledaenu yn yr ardal. Gyda chyllid o £959,180 gan y Gronfa Rhwydweithiau Natur, rhaglen a ddarperir gan y Gronfa Treftadaeth ar ran Llywodraeth Cymru, bydd y prosiect yn helpu i gryfhau gwydnwch yr ecosystem arfordirol hanfodol hon. 

Ochr yn ochr â seilwaith cyfalaf, bydd y prosiect yn darparu hyfforddiant i staff iardiau cychod, canllawiau wedi'u targedu i ddefnyddwyr y dŵr, adnoddau codi ymwybyddiaeth ddwyieithog sy'n hyrwyddo'r ymgyrch Gwirio, Glanhau, Sychu, a rhaglen fonitro arbenigol a gefnogir gan dechnolegau newydd fel DNA amgylcheddol. Bydd y gwaith yn cefnogi’n uniongyrchol y broses o weithredu Cynllun Gweithredu Bioddiogelwch Ardal Cadwraeth Arbennig (ACA) Sir Benfro Forol a Chynlluniau Gweithredu Llwybrau cysylltiedig ac mae'n adeiladu ar waith gan yr ymgynghorwyr APEM Ltd.

Un o brif feysydd ffocws y prosiect yw gosod cyfleusterau golchi llongau newydd mewn sawl iard gychod o amgylch y Ddyfrffordd. Bydd y cyfleusterau hyn yn atal bio-lygru niweidiol a rhywogaethau anfrodorol cysylltiedig rhag ail-ymuno â'r amgylchedd morol, gan helpu busnesau lleol i fabwysiadu arferion bioddiogelwch cyson, o ansawdd uchel. Trwy ddal bio-lygru o filoedd o achosion o olchi llongau, a’i reoli’n ddiogel, bydd prosiect ABCD yn gwneud cyfraniad parhaol at wella cyflwr a gwydnwch ACA Sir Benfro Forol a rhwydwaith ardaloedd morol gwarchodedig ehangach Cymru.

Dywedodd Tom Sawyer, Prif Swyddog Gweithredol Porthladd Aberdaugleddau:
"Pleser o’r mwyaf yw arwain y prosiect partneriaeth pwysig hwn ochr yn ochr â sefydliadau partner gwych. Mae Dyfrffordd Aberdaugleddau yn ganolog i'n cymunedau, ein heconomi a'n treftadaeth naturiol, ac mae rhywogaethau estron goresgynnol yn fygythiad cynyddol i'w hiechyd ecolegol. Mae'r cyllid hwn yn caniatáu i ni a'n partneriaid roi mesurau bioddiogelwch heb eu hail ar waith, gan gefnogi busnesau lleol a diogelu ACA Sir Benfro Forol a'r amgylchedd morol ehangach ar gyfer y tymor hir."

Ychwanegodd Sue Burton, Swyddog ACA Sir Benfro Forol: "Mae'r prosiect bioamrywiaeth morol hwn yn mynd i'r afael ag un o phum prif achos colli bioamrywiaeth byd-eang. Mae angen gweithredu ar y cyd i atal rhywogaethau estron goresgynnol morol rhag cael eu cyflwyno a lledaenu, ac mae'r dull cydweithredol hwn yn ffordd ddelfrydol o gyflawni hyn.”

Bydd prosiect ABCD yn rhedeg o fis Ebrill 2026 i fis Mawrth 2029 a bydd yn gadael gwaddol parhaol o seilwaith gwell, mwy o ymwybyddiaeth a chydweithio cryfach i fynd i'r afael â rhywogaethau goresgynnol morol yng Nghymru a thu hwnt.

Mae prosiect ABCD yn bartneriaeth rhwng Porthladd Aberdaugleddau, Dale Sailing, Rudders Boatyard, East Llanion Marine, Gorsaf Gychod Lawrenni a Mainstay Marine Solutions. Bydd yn gweithio ar y cyd â Cyfoeth Naturiol Cymru, Swyddog Ardal Cadwraeth Arbennig Sir Benfro Forol, rhaglen RYA Green Blue, Ysgrifenyddiaeth Rhywogaethau Estron Prydain Fawr a defnyddwyr dŵr lleol.

I ddysgu mwy am ymrwymiad y Porthladd i'r amgylchedd, ewch i: www.mhpa.co.uk/about/environment-society-governance/environment/ 


-Diwedd-

Disgrifiad o'r llun: Un o brif feysydd ffocws y prosiect yw gosod cyfleusterau golchi llongau newydd mewn sawl iard gychod o amgylch y Ddyfrffordd. Credyd Llun: Rudder’s Boatyard.
 

Nodiadau i Olygyddion

Datblygiad Cymunedol Bioddiogelwch Aberdaugleddau (ABCD)

Mae prosiect ABCD yn un o 28 o brosiectau y dyfarnwyd cyllid iddynt trwy'r Gronfa Rhwydweithiau Natur gwerth £15m a gyhoeddwyd yn ddiweddar gan y Gronfa Treftadaeth ar ran Llywodraeth Cymru ac mewn partneriaeth â Cyfoeth Naturiol Cymru. 

Mae'r Gronfa Rhwydweithiau Natur yn elfen allweddol o'r Rhaglen Rhwydwaith Natur a lansiwyd yn 2021. Mae'n cefnogi ymrwymiad Llywodraeth Cymru i nod "30x30" y Fframwaith Bioamrywiaeth Byd-eang, sydd â’r nod o ddiogelu 30% o dir, dŵr croyw a moroedd y blaned erbyn 2030. Nod y Gronfa yw cryfhau gwydnwch safleoedd tir a morol gwarchodedig Cymru a chyflymu adferiad natur.

Mae Datblygiad Cymunedol Bioddiogelwch Aberdaugleddau (ABCD) yn brosiect partneriaeth sy'n canolbwyntio ar atal rhywogaethau estron goresgynnol (INNS) rhag cael eu cyflwyno a lledaenu yn Nyfrffordd Aberdaugleddau trwy well seilwaith golchi llongau, monitro, hyfforddiant ac ymgysylltu.

Mae'r prosiect yn cefnogi gwarchod ac adfer Ardal Cadwraeth Arbennig Sir Benfro Forol, un o'r ACA morol mwyaf yng Nghymru, sydd wedi'i dynodi am ei chynefinoedd a'i rhywogaethau o bwys rhyngwladol.

Mae rhywogaethau estron goresgynnol yn cael eu cydnabod fel un o brif achosion colli bioamrywiaeth yn fyd-eang. Yn yr amgylchedd morol, atal trwy fioddiogelwch effeithiol yw'r dull rheoli mwyaf costeffeithiol ac ymarferol.

Bydd prosiect ABCD yn cael ei gyflawni rhwng Ebrill 2026 a Mawrth 2029 a bydd yn gweithredu camau o Gynllun Gweithredu Bioddiogelwch ACA Sir Benfro Forol a Chynlluniau Gweithredu Llwybrau perthnasol.

Porthladd Aberdaugleddau yw'r awdurdod harbwr statudol ar gyfer Dyfrffordd Aberdaugleddau ac mae'n gartref i Swyddog ACA Sir Benfro Forol ar ran awdurdodau perthnasol y safle.


Porthladd Aberdaugleddau

Porthladd Aberdaugleddau yw prif borthladd ynni y DU a phorthladd prysuraf Cymru ac mae'n ymdrin â thua 20% o fasnach Prydain mewn olew a nwy a gludir ar y môr. Mae'n cael ei gydnabod yn eang yn y diwydiant fel prifddinas ynni'r DU.

Mae'r Porthladd, ynghyd â'r clwstwr o fusnesau sy'n gysylltiedig ag ynni ar hyd y Ddyfrffordd, yn sbardun allweddol i weithgarwch economaidd yn Sir Benfro, ac mae’n denu mewnfuddsoddiad ac yn cefnogi dros 4,000 o swyddi.

Mae Porthladd Aberdaugleddau yn berchen ar Borthladd Penfro a Doc Aberdaugleddau hefyd ac yn eu gweithredu. Mae gweithgareddau fel ymdrin â chargo, gweithrediadau fferi, glanio pysgod a mordeithiau yn ogystal â marina o'r radd flaenaf wedi'u gwasgaru ar draws y ddau safle hyn.

Mae'r Porthladd yn un o'r rhai amlycaf ar Arfordir y Gorllewin, ac mae yng nghanol Parc Cenedlaethol Arfordir Penfro, yr unig Barc Cenedlaethol Arfordirol ym Mhrydain. Fe'i nodir fel Ardal Cadwraeth Arbennig ac mae ganddo lawer o ardaloedd wedi'u dynodi'n Safleoedd o Ddiddordeb Gwyddonol Arbennig.

Mae Porthladd Aberdaugleddau yn borthladd ymddiriedolaeth - sefydliad annibynnol sy'n cael ei redeg yn fasnachol ac sydd â chyfrifoldebau statudol a lywodraethir gan ei Ddeddfau, i gynnal a gwella mordwyaeth a darparu gwasanaethau a chyfleusterau Porthladd a Harbwr. Yn ogystal, mae'r Porthladd yn darparu cymorth ariannol sylweddol a chyfraniadau o fath arall i amrywiaeth eang o achosion lleol. Cedwir yr holl elw yn y busnes er mwyn ariannu'r amcanion hyn.

Am ragor o wybodaeth, ewch i www.mhpa.co.uk, neu cysylltwch â:
Anna Malloy
Porthladd Aberdaugleddau
01646 696100
anna.malloy@mhpa.co.uk