AN MS has said the Welsh Government is "dragging its feet" over a catch and release tagging scheme for tuna in Welsh waters.

Janet Finch-Saunders, MS for Aberconwy and shadow minister for climate change, sent a written question to minister for climate change Julie James to confirm whether the scheme will be given a green light ahead of the bluefin tuna season next month.

The call was made after the Welsh Federation of Sea Anglers told BBC News that they had been treated with "no respect" by the Welsh Government.

No announcement had been made on whether Welsh anglers can catch the fish, while a scheme has been approved in England from mid-August to mid-November.

But a Welsh Government spokesperson said today that it is in the process of "finalising details" for the scheme.

Mrs Finch-Saunders had raised the matter in a written question to minister for climate change Julie James.

She said: “These decisions should always be led by the data and stakeholders should be consulted on potential options. To hear that the Welsh Federation of Sea Anglers are unhappy with the lack of progress made in the discussions about a pilot scheme shows that the administration has been dragging its feet.

“The dates of the tuna season are well-known, and so I cannot fathom how a decision from Welsh Government has not already been reached. So as to gain clarity on behalf of all involved, I have submitted an urgent Written Question to the Minister and her officials.

“Whilst I broadly support tagging, I remain clear that any pilot programme would need to produce robust data that could contribute to the sustainable management of tuna stock.

"It would also have to avoid contributing to stock mortality and add to the effective long-term management of the stock within UK waters and internationally.”

A Welsh Government spokesperson said: “We are finalising details for a new Tuna Catch and Release Tagging (CHART) pilot project in Wales this year."