Have Your Say
Are there any burning issues that you would like to see discussed?
Have you seen something interesting in Cardigan Bay?
Do you want to report a wildlife sighting?
The good management of Cardigan Bay Special Area of Conservation needs the input of those people who know and treasure it: whether you live on its shores or only visit in spirit; whether you earn a living from its waters or value its wildlife we want to hear from you.
You can now post your comments directly onto the website. Just type in your name, email address and comment in the boxes below, then click on submit - email addresses will not be displayed. Use this page for any general comments and sightings but for more specific discussion threads, you will find comment boxes with many of the news articles and other site pages. All messages are currently moderated by the SAC Officer so there will be a delay before you see your message on the site - sorry about this but it is the only way to prevent the site being buried by spam at present. We welcome messages left in Welsh or English.
Another way to have your say is at the CBSAC Liaison Group. The group meets at least annually; the meetings are open to all, are attended by the authorities responsible for managing the site and try to give plenty of time for questions and discussion. Ben Sampson, the SAC officer will organise meetings as required, please let him know if you think that something needs debating by the group.
Contact Ben at bens@ceredigion.gov.uk or telephone 01545 572139.
11 Comments
SAC Officer on March 26th, 2009
The dolphins have always been found in Cardigan Bay but it is only in recent decades that their importance has been recognised and research been done on the population. Historically, dolphins would almost certainly have been much more common all around the British coast.
Denise Preston on June 3rd, 2009
We are regular visitors to Mywnt and the Cardigan Coast. We are usually very fortunate and have a sighting of dolphins. Last Friday we were there with grandchildren and very dismayed to hear and then see a jet ski tearing around the small Mywnt Bay and island. This would certainly have frightened any dolphins in the area, and they certainly did not put in an appearance. Would it not be possible to have a total ban of jet skis and fast moving speed boats in the area? I did ask at the refreshment kiosk, but was told they were allowed if they kept their speed down, which unfortanely people don,t. The jet ski guys were totally unsympathetic to our reasons why they shouldn;t be roaring around the bay.
Denise Preston
SAC Officer on June 5th, 2009
Hi Denise
I’m sorry to hear of your experience at Mwnt. Dolphins are easily disturbed by noise - this is why we have a code of conduct for boaters. It isn’t jet skis or speedboats themselves that are the problem but the way they are used - and if they comply with the code there shouldn’t be a problem. Although there is information at launch points, not everyone reads it which is why I also patrol the area by boat, to help raise awareness and ensure that the code is being followed. Unfortunately with such a large area to look after (almost 1000 square kilometres) I can’t be everywhere but research does show that the code is followed in around 90% of encounters with dolphins.
As you said there were no dolphins present when you visited so the jet ski in question wasn’t actually breaking the code and as long as it wasn’t speeding near the bathing beach, was doing nothing wrong (although I can understand your annoyance). We are reviewing the code this year and have a public consultation going on at present, looking (amongst other things) at whether greater protection is required in areas that recent research has highlighted as particularly useful for dolphins and other wildlife. If you would like to complete a questionnaire and have an input into the review, click on this link.
duncliz4 on July 11th, 2009
I WOULD LIKE TO THANK ALL AT THE NEW QUAY RESEARCH STATION FROM THE 22ND - 27TH JUNE 2009 WHO WERE SO VERY FRIENDLY, AND TOOK THE TIME TOO EXPLAIN ABOUT THE DOLPHINS AND ALLOWED ME TO JOIN WATCHING EARLY MORNING DELIGHTS OF MOTHER AND CALF PLUS OTHERS ENTERING THE PEACE AND SAFETY OF NEW QUAY AS A DISABLED PERSON WHO HAD LIVED THE DREAM I WOULD BE UP AT 5.30AM TO BE DOWN THE WALL AT 6.45AM STAYING FOR AS LONG AS I WAS ABLE ONCE AGAIN THANK YOU DUNCAN AMPHLETT
alan on July 25th, 2009
The holiday season is in full swing and already I have seen jetskies driven at rafts of birds resting at high tide, they drive these machines at anything the see, seals, porpoises & dolfins with no ragard to wildlife what so ever. These insidents takes place at Llanrhystud pretty regular but I must add this is not the regular boating people it is the weekend cowboys that go out for an hour, do as much damage as they can then when they get fed up or their arms ach they stop until the next high tide. There should be a summer BAN on these people of at least be regulated then they could be stopped. I have also seen them taking jet skies in too close to seals & pups. Help before it’s too late.
There used to be breeding gulls along these cliffs but they have vanished and I am afraid the porpoise will follow if this is left.
SAC Officer on July 26th, 2009
Inconsiderate boating can be very disturbing to wildlife - that is why Ceredigion County Council promotes the code of conduct for boaters, but there is a (fortunately very small) minority who behave inconsiderately. I patrol the Cardigan Bay Special Area of Conservation by boat to promote responsible boating and keep an eye out for incidents of this type but unfortunately Llanrhystud is outside the boundaries of the protected site. Reckless disturbance of protected species anywhere is a criminal offence but enforcement is not easy.
We are currently asking people’s views on how boating should be managed in Ceredigion in future - click here to find out more and have your say.
John on September 27th, 2009
Just a short note to say that today 27/9/09 my wife and I were out on our Kayak between Cwmtydu and Llangranog and had probably the highest number of Grey Seal sightings we have ever known. Not just that but we also saw for the first time ever not one but two new born seal pups. Which was lovely to see. Along with many sea birds and jelly fish i would say it was our most productive day on the water ever. Obviously we did not get too near to the pups or their parents and kept a decent distance from them but we did make a little friend who swam alongside us for at least a mile before disapearing into the depths. Made this note as someone may want to know about it and the fact that there was quite a thick film of oil on the water too.This was very noticeable as the sea was very calm.
Amanda Hambidge on September 30th, 2009
Hi,
Today mom and I went to Aberporth, while we were on the beach we spotted a dead seal calf that was being washed ashore.
We spoke to someone yesterday at Cwmtydu, who said that a baby seal had been released there during the last week.
We wondered if this was the same seal, I thought it would a good idea to contact someone about this.
Amanda Hambidge
SAC Officer on October 8th, 2009
Thanks for reporting this Amanda. This is a difficult time of year for seal pups - after being suckled by their mother tfor their first three weeks they are left to fend for themselves and unfortunately some don’t make it. Bad weather or disturbance by people and dogs can make things even more difficult for them.
I don’t know, but suspect that the seal you saw was not the one released at Cwmtydu - it would have been in very good condition when released and there are around 60-70 seal pups born within Cardigan Bay SAC every autumn.
If you find a dead seal on the beach, the Council will remove it if you can let them know exactly where it is. The relevant helpdesk can be contacted on 01545 572572 or by email at hpw@ceredigion.gov.uk. During the pupping season young seals can often appear abandoned. This is not usually the case, as they are left on the beach while their mothers are out foraging for food, and they should be left undisturbed. If you are concerned about the welfare of a seal please report it to the RSPCA on 08705 555999.
Ben Sampson
Grace J Hartley on May 31st, 2010
Bottlenose dolphins are the most sweetest and cleverest dolphins ever
Lynne Williams on March 25th, 2009
Have dolphins always been near Wales, or are they an
‘imported’ species? Thanks.