Cardigan
Bay abounds with a rich variety of marine animals and
plants. Together with the valuable habitats on which
they rely this makes the Bay an outstanding and internationally
important marine environment - an environment that
you can help protect! Why not take a closer look at
the issues highlighted below and see what you can do
to help us protect the dolphins and other wildlife
of the Bay.
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A
bottlenose dolphin leaps from the water.
Image © Janet
Baxter |
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Have your say!
Your views are important.
From the initial planning stages to the
present day the relevant authorities (Who’s involved) responsible for
the management of the cSAC have recognised the importance
of public involvement and support. Everyone’s views
are welcomed so please contact us with any comments or questions
that you may have.
As a first point of contact please
get in touch with Annalisa Bianchessi, SAC Officer on:
E mail: annalisab@ceredigion.gov.uk
Telephone: 01545 572139
Letter: DESH, Penmorfa, Aberaeron,
Ceredigion SA46 0PA.
Join the Liaison Group
The Liaison Group is the SAC public
forum, to which all are welcome to attend. Meetings
are designed to incorporate interesting presentations
about various aspects of the SAC with more detailed
discussion about developments in the management of the
site. It provides a valuable opportunity to raise any
SAC related issues with the representatives of the relevant
Government authorities responsible for the management
of the site.
For more information about the next Liaison Group meeting
please check the Latest News
page here or contact the SAC Officer at the contacts
listed above.
Volunteering
Volunteers make a huge contribution
to conserving Cardigan Bay's marine environment. Why
not join the team and get involved in activities such
as helping us collect valuable data about dolphins,
clearing litter from beaches and raising awareness about
the importance of our local environment.
For those that can spare 2 hours a
week in the summer months and like the idea of seeing
dolphins in the wild on a regular basis why not take
part in ‘dolphin watch’? You will be part
of a dedicated team studying the relationship between
local boating traffic and bottlenose dolphin site usage
which helps us make considered decisions about the way
we manage recreational activities. Full training is
available, and someone will always be on call to help
you out.
For more information contact Liz Allan on 01545 572142
Recreational Boating
Boat users - you can make a real difference!
We are well aware that boats have been used in Cardigan
Bay for hundreds of years and the dolphins and other wildlife
has not been driven away. So why is it only recently that
boat users are being asked to follow a code of conduct? The
main reason is due to the increased number of fast, highly
manoeuvrable vessels now using the area, which if driven
irresponsibly, have the potential to disturb local wildlife
and even cause direct harm.
The code of conduct sets out sensible guidelines that if
followed will ensure the safety of you, the boat users, while
minimising disturbance to wildlife and ensuring that the
UK laws protecting it are not broken.
We thank you for your co-operation.
Marine Conservation Code of Conduct and
Byelaws
Image:
Cardigan Bay SAC Map
Boats : Please operate all boats with care and attention
for the safety of occupants and respect for all other sea
users.
Dolphins/Porpoise : If these marine mammals are encountered
at sea please:
- Maintain a steady speed and course, or slow down gradually
- Do not chase, manoeuvre erratically, turn towards or
attempt to feed or touch them
- Take extra care to avoid dolphins with their young
- Please do not attempt to swim with these mammals
Seals : Do not interfere with seals or their
pups on the beach. Please leave alone as any attempts to
approach may cause stress. Control dogs and keep them away
from seals.
Birds : Keep 100m out from cliffs in the
breeding season, 1 March to 31 July.
Please keep clear of rafts of birds nesting or feeding
on the sea and avoid unnecessary noise close to cliffs.
Fishing : Do not discard fishing tackle.
Please take it home for proper disposal.
Divers : Please observe the BSAC Code of
Conduct.
Ceredigion Byelaws : These byelaws regulate
the navigation of pleasure craft in the areas shown on the map
Speed limits : Pleasure boats are not to be navigated at
a speed of more than 8 nautical miles per hour within the
restricted area surrounding each beach between May and the
end of September.
Due care and Attention : The driving of pleasure boats
in a dangerous manner or without due care and attention or
without reasonable consideration for others is prohibited.
Noise : The use of a pleasure boat propelled by an internal
combustion engine without a suitable silencer is prohibited.
New Quay Harbour Orders
Speed Limits: Pleasure boats are not to be navigated at a speed of more than
5 nautical miles per hour within the limits of the harbour (see map overleaf).
Harbour Beach : Pleasure craft are not to be navigated
(other than vessels ‘licensed to ply for hire or reward’)
between an imaginary line drawn between the end of the shelter
in Beach Road and the end of the Penpolion breakwater.
Age Limit : Persons under the age of 18 years must not
take charge of a speedboat or power boat.
Penalties : The Harbourmaster is authorised to withdraw
launching and mooring permits from vessels which do not observe
the Marine Conservation Code of Conduct or byelaws. Vessels
which break the byelaws or recklessly disturb dolphins and
porpoise are also liable to prosecution.
Byelaws similar to those for Ceredigion apply to those
parts of the River Teifi which lie in Pembrokeshire.
For more information about byelaws
click here
or visit Ceredigion County Council Offices and Tourist
Information Centres.
To view the Code of Conduct click on
the following links:
Leaflet front cover here
Leaflet rear here
Just the text here
To view the Code of Conduct for Passenger Boat Operators
click here
Safety at Sea
MARINECALL: Marinecall gives up to
date recorded weather forecasts for inshore waters of the
Irish Sea Contact 09068 500 460.
RNLI Sea Equipment
Advisory Check: Sea Check offers leisure
craft owners a free safety equipment check. Contact
0800 328 0600 to arrange a Sea Check appointment.
Coastguard Yacht and Boat Safety Scheme:
Before sailing inform your shore contact of your return time.
If you are overdue, the Coastguard can then be informed.
The Milford Haven Coastguard covers the Ceredigion Coast
Contact 01646 690909
Copies of the ‘Safety on the Sea’ booklet are available from Ceredigion
Harbour Offices.
RYA Training Courses:
Contact the RYA for a list of Sea Schools near you 01703
627400.
For more information please contact
the SAC Officer on 01545 572139 or at annalisab@ceredigion.gov.uk
Litter
No one likes to see litter on our beaches. Not only is
it unattractive, but it has health and economic impacts on
local communities, as well as being potentially
harmful to our internationally
important marine wildlife.
Unfortunately, there is a clear trend that
litter on our coastline is getting worse. The Marine Conservation
Society (http://www.mcsuk.org)
have recorded a 99% increase in litter found on surveyed
beaches between 1994 and 2003, with Wales having the second
highest levels of litter found in the UK, much of it occurring
as a result people leaving it on the beach.
By taking two simple steps you can help us to keep the
local environment clean and safe for both our benefit and
that of local wildlife.
- Dispose of litter carefully – please use bins
provided or take your rubbish home. Make sure you recycle
what you can.
- ‘Adopt’ your favourite beach
or stretch of coastline and help maintain it for
the future.
Adopting a Beach - What's is all about?
Want to play a bigger role in maintaining
the quality of your local coastline?
Keep
Wales Tidy
are providing support to community members wanting to be
involved in safe, enjoyable conservation activities.
Through
their Coastcare
scheme, groups of volunteers focus on the
ongoing care of their chosen area with events that range
from litter picks to environmental education activities – what you do
is up to you!
For more information about how to set up or join your nearest
Coastcare group contact Keep Wales Tidy on 01646 681949
Climate change
Wherever you live in the world, you can play your part
in maintaining the fantastic marine wildlife of Cardigan
Bay .
Climate
change is described as the " The
greatest threat to our environment today" and
there is mounting evidence that it will have an impact
on all of our lives in future years. But it’s not
just us that will be affected. Unnaturally fast changes
in air and sea water temperatures due to the greenhouse
effect are
likely to bring about changes in the distribution and abundance
of marine wildlife throughout the world’s oceans.
By taking simple steps, not only will you save on your
electricity bill, but you will be making a positive contribution
to maintaining the health of our marine environment for the
benefit and enjoyment of future generations. So please:
Turn off lights, TVs and stereos when they are not needed – do
not leave electrical appliances on standby.
- Don't overfill the kettle - only boil as much water
as you need
- Let clothes dry naturally rather than using a tumble
drier
- Consider buying energy efficient light bulbs
For more tips on ways that you can help
reduce your impact on the environment visit Defra’s
webpage http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/climatechange/dat/index.htm
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