Bottlenose dolphin
Cardigan Bay, on the west coast of Wales, is one of the last remaining areas around the UK where cetaceans still seem to be relatively abundant. Bottlenose dolphins and harbour porpoises are the most commonly seen species and there is evidence that the bay hosts resident populations of these animals.
In an attempt to protect the bottlenose dolphin population and other important marine species and features of the Bay, several Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) have been proposed. The SAC proposed specifically for bottlenose dolphins is sited off south Ceredigion and north Pembrokeshire.
Whilst we welcome the development of the dolphin SAC, The Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society (WDCS) believes that to effectively protect these animals, we need wider protection throughout the bay.
Sadly, no site has been proposed for harbour porpoises, despite evidence that parts of Cardigan Bay seem to be important breeding areas for these animals. Research has shown a high probability of sighting harbour porpoises at Strumble Head, Skomer, Ramsey, Skokholm and Bardsey Island, highlighting these areas as particularly important for this species. In fact, no sites have been proposed for harbour porpoises throughout the UK despite the huge damage being done to their populations through bycatch.
Cardigan Bay is located near the Celtic Deep in the Irish Sea, and has a variety of complex bathographic features which also seems to offer suitable habitats to other cetaceans such as Risso
