THE post Brexit future of sea fishing in Welsh waters is uncertain, according to a Welsh minister.

Lesley Griffiths, minister for environment, energy and rural affairs was naming the Lady Megan, a new addition to the Welsh fisheries protection fleet, in Conwy Marina on Thursday February 21.

She said: “If there is a no deal obviously we are very unsure what will happen for our fishermen. So what is really important is we continue to enforce the laws of the sea.

“This fishery protection vessel which now completes our fleet, is the third new vessel we’ve had in over a year, it will ensure that we have fit for purpose vessels able to do that job. Before Brexit or post Brexit clearly things are very uncertain. We don’t know what the deal is going to be.”

She added that whether Spanish and French and other non UK vessels would be allowed to operate in Welsh waters was unknown. She said: “We don’t know what the position will be, we don’t know if they will be allowed to come, we really have no idea, it is a very uncertain time.

“What is important is that the crew have the vessel they will need to enforce the laws and look after our seas.”

During the ceremony she handed over the Lady Megan’s predecessor, the Aegis, to the Liberian ambassador, Gurly T Gibson Schwarz. The vessel will be renamed the Pride of Wales. The Welsh Government’s Wales for Africa had offered the vessel to the Liberian Government.

The Aegis will be used as a fisheries protection and search and rescue vessel, protecting the 40,000 Liberians involved in legitimate fishing from illegal fishing by foreign trawlers.

The official naming ceremony include the Minister pouring champagne on the vessel and signing the visitor book in the wheelhouse. Flags will also be changed on the Aegis during a short ceremony.

Lady Megan’ is named after Lady Megan Arvon Lloyd George who was born in Criccieth, and was a Welsh politician who became the first female Member of Parliament for a Welsh constituency. Lady Megan was named as one of the 50 greatest Welsh men and women of all time.

The new vessel is a catamaran and is capable of 28 knots.

The role of the Welsh fisheries fleet is enforce fisheries and marine laws around the seas of Wales and help ensure fish stocks are managed sustainably. It also helps safeguard Wales’ fishing industry and coastal communities.