Cardigan Bay SAC

Launch of Ceredigion Recreational Boating Plan

SAC Officer — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 10:15:50 +0000

Following a major public consultation last year, Ceredigion County Council’s Cabinet has recently approved a recreational boating plan for its coastline. Ceredigion’s waters are one of the finest wildlife areas in Europe, and have the continent’s largest population of bottlenose dolphins. The plan sets out ways in which important marine wildlife can be protected and sustainable boating activity encouraged “Maintaining the current voluntary management approach and continuing to provide information to skippers and develop their involvement sums up the way forward in Ceredigion” says Cllr. Gethin James, Cabinet member for DESH. “Some people during the consultation felt that the Council should take more enforcement action, but we have seen from the results of our long-term monitoring study that the Code of Conduct is now working well and that there is good compliance amongst the boating community.”

Liz Allan, Conservation Management Officer, explained: “The Council has been actively promoting a boating code and working with skippers since the Marine Heritage Coast was established in 1991. We have now updated our information to incorporate the latest research to help boating and wildlife coexist. The plan identifies certain areas as being particularly important for dolphins and boaters are being asked to take particular care in these areas. Advisory 8 knot speed zones have been created along the coast from Cardigan Island to Cribach Bay and extending the existing speed zone from New Quay to reach Llangrannog rather than finish at Ynys Lochtyn. Other amendments include a request to avoid entering sea caves during the seal pupping season from August to October - an increasing problem with the growing popularity of sea kayaking and coasteering.”

Ben Sampson, from the Council’s Conservation team runs boat patrols during the summer raising awareness of the wildlife and promoting the code. “Almost everyone I talk to at sea cares deeply about the marine environment and the wonderful wildlife we have in our seas. There is sometimes a lack of awareness of what to do when people encounter dolphins and other wildlife at sea, but there is a strong desire to do the right thing. The Ceredigion Marine Code is all about providing this information, ensuring that generations to come can enjoy these spectacular animals. One of the questions I hear most often is “but dolphins like boats don’t they?” Yes, sometimes, is the simple answer. It depends what they are doing. We know that fast, highly manoeuvrable powerboats present the greatest threat to these animals. Underwater noise from propellers can affect dolphins’ ability to navigate, hunt prey and communicate. The faster a boat travels the noisier it is. Dolphins may choose to approach a boat, but it must be their choice - never try to approach or follow.”

As well as providing laminated versions of the updated Code to boaters, new information panels have been erected at all launch sites in the county, thanks to grant aid from The Crown Estate’s Marine Stewardship Fund. The Crown Estate has been supporting Ceredigion County Council’s efforts to promote sustainable boating for many years, enabling the setting up of ‘The Boat Place’, a wildlife and boating information centre on New Quay harbour, and the purchase of the patrol boat.

The Ceredigion Marine Code and boating management plan can be downloaded here and the code is also available at the Boat Place and harbour offices

Family Summer Holiday Activities Programme

SAC Officer — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 14:13:49 +0000

from the Cardigan Bay Boat Place, New Quay

Sunday 25 July            Marine Creature Creations 12.00 - 1pm
                                            Seashore Safari 2pm
                                            Strandline Scavenger Hunt 3.30pm

Friday 30 July              Marine Creature Creations 12.00 - 1pm
                                             Strandline Scavenger Hunt 3pm
                                             Seashore Safari 4.30pm

Sunday 8 August         Marine Creature Creations 12.00 - 1pm
                                            Seashore Safari 1.30pm
                                            Strandline Scavenger Hunt 3pm

Friday 13 August Marine Creature Creations 1.30 - 3.30pm
Strandline Scavenger Hunt 4pm

Friday 27 August         Marine Creature Creations 12.00 - 1pm
                                              Strandline Scavenger Hunt 3pm
                                              Seashore Safari 4.30pm

Saturday 28 August Marine Creature Creations 12.00 - 1.30pm
Strandline Scavenger Hunt 3.30pm

Monday 30 August Marine Creature Creations 12.00 - 1.30pm
Sand Sculpture 3pm - 5pm

Seashore Safari: Explore the gullies and rockpools of Traeth y Dolau as the tide drops to reveal a hidden world. Wear grippy shoes that you don’t mind getting wet!

Strandline Scavenger Hunt: Take a stroll along the strandline with the warden to search for the secrets of the seashore. This event is particularly suitable for young families.

Marine Creature Creations: Drop-in art workshops with a charge of £1 per child to cover the cost of materials.

We cannot accept unaccompanied children on any of our events and we welcome donations for all beach events.

Ceredigion County Council Coast and Countryside Service 01545 561074

Summer Wildlife Walks from Cardigan Bay Boat Place

SAC Officer — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 13:50:53 +0000

July:
Sat 31st Coast and Countryside Walk: 2.30pm

August:
Sun 1st Dolphin and Porpoise Walk: 3pm
Sat 7th Coast and Countryside Walk: 10am
Sat 14th Coast and Countryside Walk: 2.30pm
Sun 15th Dolphin and Porpoise Walk: 3pm
Fri 20th Seal Walk from Cwmtydu: 11.30am
Sun 29th Seal Walk from Cwmtydu: 11.30am

September:
Sun 5th Seal Walk from Cwmtydu: 11.30am
Sun 12th Coast and Countryside Walk: 2pm
Sat 18th Dolphin and Porpoise Walk: 10am

Dolphin and Porpoise Walk: A slow walk along the coast path taking in the Birds Rock lookout. A good chance to try and spot marine mammals as well as see other coastal wildlife on route. Some steep sections and uneven ground. Approx 2 hours.

New Quay Coast and Countryside Walk: A little bit longer than the dolphin and porpoise walk. Follow the coast path south to the Birds Rock lookout before heading inland to complete the circuit back to New Quay. Some steep sections and uneven ground. Approx 3 hours.

Seal Walk from Cwmtydu: A 20 minute bus ride to Cwmtydu followed by a 3½ mile walk along the coast path back to New Quay, taking in secluded beaches and dramatic cliffs, with a good chance of seeing seals and other wildlife. Approx 4 hours with several steep uneven sections. Bring a packed lunch and plenty to drink. Adults £3.50, concessions £2.00, children free plus the one-way bus fare.

All walks and other events meet at the Boat Place on New Quay harbour. There is a charge of £3.50 for Adults (concessions £2.00), children free. We cannot accept unaccompanied children on any of our events.

Ceredigion County Council Coast and Countryside Service 01545 561074

Wildlife walks and other events - June 2010

SAC Officer — Tue, 25 May 2010 13:49:23 +0000

from the Cardigan Bay Boat Place, New Quay

Fri 4^th Dolphin and Porpoise Walk: 3.00pm

Sun 6^th New Quay Coast and Countryside Walk: 10am

Sat 12^th New Quay Coast and Countryside Walk: 2.30pm

Sun 13^th Seashore Safari: 2.00pm

Sat 19^th Dolphin and Porpoise Walk: 10am

Sun 20^th New Quay Coast and Countryside Walk: 10am

Sat 26^th New Quay Coast and Countryside Walk: 2.30pm

Sun 27^th Strandline Scavenger Hunt: 2pm

Dolphin and Porpoise Walk: A slow walk along the coast path taking in the Birds Rock lookout. A good chance to try and spot marine mammals as well as see other coastal wildlife on route. Some steep sections and uneven ground. Adults £3.50 (concessions £2.00), children free.

New Quay Coast and Countryside Walk: A little bit longer than the dolphin and porpoise walk. Follow the coast path south to the Birds Rock lookout before heading inland to complete the circuit back to New Quay. Some steep sections and uneven ground. Approx 3 hours. Adults £3.50, concessions £2.00, children free.

Seashore Safari: Explore the gullies and rockpools of Traeth y Dolau as the tide drops to reveal a hidden world. Wear grippy shoes that you don’t mind getting wet!

Strandline Scavenger Hunt: Take a stroll along the strandline with the warden to search for the secrets of the seashore. This event is particularly suitable for young families.

All walks and other events meet at the Boat Place on New Quay harbour. Unless otherwise stated they will last about two hours. We cannot accept unaccompanied children on any of our events.

Exciting dolphin research project underway at New Quay

SAC Officer — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 15:45:57 +0000

Sharp eyed visitors to New Quay looking out from the harbour wall this spring might just be able to see a grid of yellow buoys around half a mile out to sea. These mark the position of underwater acoustic data loggers called T-PODS, automatically recording the clicks and whistles of dolphins and porpoises as part of a study by Hanna Nuuttila, a PhD student at Bangor University. It has long been known that Cardigan Bay is home to a large population of bottlenose dolphins and this research should give us a much better idea of exactly how the dolphins use the Bay.

*NEW click here to link to article on the research in the Guardian*

The data loggers are attached to the buoys by a complicated arrangement of ropes, weights and anchors so fishermen and boaters are being asked to avoid the area for the duration of the experiment, expected to run until April or May. The grid begins 600m north of New Quay Head, so there is plenty of room for boats heading south from the harbour, but please remember to respect the 8 knot speed limit within 200m of the shore between New Quay and Llangrannog.

To download an information sheet, including the location of the study area click here.

Welsh Assembly Government Announces new Scallop Fishery Order

SAC Officer — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 15:03:24 +0000

The Welsh Assembly Government has announced a comprehensive set of measures aiming to improve the sustainability of scallop fishing in Welsh waters when the season reopens on 1^st March. Among various technical measures, including limits on the design, size and number of dredges that a boat can use, the open season will be reduced by one month from 2011. A number of areas are being completely closed to scalloping because of conservation concerns (see map).

The order bans scallop dredging within one nautical mile of the Welsh coast, in Wales’ Special Areas of Conservation and a number of other areas beyond the boundaries of designated conservation sites following advice from the Countryside Council for Wales. Scalloping will be allowed to continue within one section of Cardigan Bay SAC. This area was identified by fishermen as being of primary importance for scalloping and based on best available evidence, including research carried out by Bangor University this winter, dredging in this area was considered unlikely to damage the features of the SAC.

Rural Affairs minister Elin Jones said “The technical measures introduced will enhance management of the scallop fishery in Welsh waters, while the spatial restrictions will control the activity in areas which have been identified as important to vulnerable marine species and habitats. With the exception of part of the Cardigan Bay Special Area of Conservation (SAC), all other SACs within Welsh waters will currently remain closed to scallop dredging.

“Following a 10-week consultation, as well as recent survey work undertaken in the Cardigan Bay area by Bangor University and advice received from the Countryside Council for Wales (CCW), I have decided to allow scallop dredging in one part of the Cardigan Bay Special Area of Conservation (SAC).

“We will look to undertake a similar assessment to that carried out recently in one area of Cardigan Bay, which could lead to re-evaluation of areas where dredging is currently prohibited.”

Click here for links to Bangor University’s research report and advice from the Countryside Council for Wales

Click here for the full text of the Scallop Fishery (Wales) Order 2010

LIAISON GROUP MEETING CANCELLED

SAC Officer — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 09:44:20 +0000

The Liaison Group meeting on 15^th December has been cancelled. Unfortunately the spokesperson on fisheries is now unable to attend and there is no one else available for that date.

This has been a difficult decision but rather than continue without any input on fisheries management, given the importance of the subject and the level of concern within the group, the other authorities responsible for managing the site have agreed to postpone the meeting.

A new date will be arranged at the earliest opportunity and will be announced here as soon as it is confirmed.

Events from the Boat Place: September 2009

SAC Officer — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 10:08:52 +0000

This summer we are running a series of marine wildlife walks and events in New Quay, thanks to funding from the Crown Estate. The education warden is based in the Boat Place on the harbour and runs the events at weekends and bank holidays.

Saturday 5^th Dolphin and Porpoise Walk: 3.00pm

Sunday 6^th Rockpool Rummage: 2.30pm

Saturday 12^th Dolphin and Porpoise Walk: 10.30am

Sunday 13^th Treasure Hunt: 10.00am

Saturday 19^thDolphin and Porpoise Walk: 10.30am

Sunday 20^th Rockpool Rummage: 2.30pm

Saturday 26^thDolphin and Porpoise Walk: 3.00pm

Sunday 27^th Circular Walk: 10.30am. (2½ hrs)

Dolphin and Porpoise Walk: A slow, two hour walk along the coast path taking in the Birds Rock lookout. A good chance to try and spot marine mammals as well as see nesting seabirds and other coastal wildlife on route. Some steep sections and uneven ground.

Treasure Hunt: Discover New Quay’s natural treasures armed with your map and compass…

Rockpool Rummage: Explore the gullies and rockpools of Traeth Dolau as the tide drops to reveal a hidden world. Wear grippy shoes that you don’t mind getting wet!

Circular Walk: Explore the local wildlife and history along New Quay’s beaches and footpaths.

All walks and other events meet at the Boat Place on New Quay harbour. Unless otherwise stated they will last about two hours and we ask for a donation to help fund our wildlife awareness raising work (suggested minimum £1 per person). We cannot accept unaccompanied children on any of our events.

Ceredigion County Council Coast and Countryside Section

Events from the Boat Place - August 2009

SAC Officer — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 14:10:02 +0000

Saturday 1^st Puppet Procession: 6.15pm - Come and see Neptune defeat the Rubbish Monster on Dolau beach. The puppets were made by local children and young people using beach litter.

Sunday 2^nd Dolphin and Porpoise Walk: 4.00pm

Saturday 8^th Rockpool Rummage: 3.00pm

Sunday 9^th Dolphin and Porpoise Walk: 2.00pm

Saturday 15th Dolphin and Porpoise Walk: 10.30am

Sunday 16^th Sand Sculpture: 10.00am

Saturday 22^ndCliff top walk from Cwmtydu: 11.45am Meet at the Boat Place to catch the Cardi Bach bus to Cwmtydu- bus fare £2.00; numbers depend on space on the bus.

Sunday 23^rd Treasure Hunt: 2.30pm

Saturday 29^th Dolphin and Porpoise Walk: 10.30am

Sunday 30^th Rockpool Rummage: 10.00am

Monday 31^st Sand Sculpture: 2.00pm

Treasure Hunt: Discover New Quay’s natural treasures armed with your map and compass…

Rockpool Rummage: Explore the gullies and rockpools of Traeth Dolau as the tide drops to reveal a hidden world. Wear grippy shoes that you don’t mind getting wet!

Sand Sculpture: Forget castles, think 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea! Help us to recreate a sub-marine food web.

Events from the Boat Place: July 2009

SAC Officer — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 10:05:52 +0000

Sunday 5^th Sand Sculpture: 10.30am

Saturday 11^th Dolphin and Porpoise Walk: 2.30pm

Sunday 12^th Treasure Hunt: 3.00pm

Saturday 18^thDolphin and Porpoise Walk: 10.30am

Sunday 19^th Rockpool Rummage: 11.00am

Saturday 25^thRockpool Rummage: 4.00pm

Dolphin and Porpoise Walk: A slow, two hour walk along the coast path taking in the Birds Rock lookout. A good chance to try and spot marine mammals as well as see nesting seabirds and other coastal wildlife on route. Some steep sections and uneven ground.

Treasure Hunt: Discover New Quay’s natural treasures armed with your map and compass…

Rockpool Rummage: Explore the gullies and rockpools of Traeth Dolau as the tide drops to reveal a hidden world. Wear grippy shoes that you don’t mind getting wet!

Sand Sculpture: Forget castles, think 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea! Help us to create a menagerie of weird and wonderful sea life.

Ceredigion County Council Coast and Countryside Section