This section addresses potential impacts from underwater recovery operations including both archaeological and commercial salvage. It should be noted that whilst they have been grouped together here there can be significant differences between the two types of operation.

a.    Extent of the activity

Marine archaeology and salvage from wrecks has taken place in the past within and adjacent to the Cardigan Bay cSAC. Levels have generally been very low and no known projects are currently in progress.

b.    Mechanism for effect on the feature

Underwater operations (in particular use of tools) and associated boat traffic may cause localised disturbance and will increase underwater noise levels. Use of explosives may in addition result in direct injury or death to dolphins in the locality.

See relevant boat activity sections as well as ‘Disturbance’.

Removal of substrate during archaeological operations may result in localised smothering of adjacent sea bed communities and possible remobilisation of pollutants bound within the sediments.

c.    Management Response

i.   Rationale

Whilst there is some degree of regulation of both archaeological sites (e.g. ancient wrecks) and salvage operations e.g. recovery of a sunk or stranded vessel, the main management issue is the potential use of explosives.

Codes of conduct do not approve the use of explosives in archaeological studies, and for large scale salvage operations where they may be required there are strict licensing procedures for their use. However, licensing of explosives is by the Police [137] and relates to possession and use simultaneously. This effectively means that someone licensed to possess explosives in York by the local Police force may then use them off the Cardigan Bay coast without requiring any further consent. As a result there is currently no effective means of regulating the use of explosives.

Changes to the legislation regarding the control of explosives are clearly required.

Underwater marine archaeological or salvage work will usually also result in increased small boat traffic to and from the site. Larger vessels may be required for some salvage operations such as the recovery of cargo or the vessel itself. Both of these and any associated underwater operations are likely to result in an increase in underwater noise. Commercial salvage will by its nature generate far more disturbance than scientific archaeological studies. There is also the potential for pollution events to occur either from a vessel under salvage or through increased shipping movements. Current levels of disturbance are currently minimal (and expected to remain so) as very little archaeological or salvage work takes place. Most normal impacts are likely to be insignificant as far as the dolphins are concerned, though may act cumulatively with impacts from other activities. However, the use of explosives, whilst very infrequent, has the potential to result in a significant direct impact.

Whilst levels of this activity are unlikely to reach significant levels there is the potential for individual operations in sensitive areas to be a problem. Maintaining surveillance of the current levels through archaeological societies and diving clubs should therefore be conducted.

ii.  Type of Response

F4 : There is a known mechanism for the activity to have an effect, but insufficient evidence at present to determine whether or not it is having a significant adverse effect.

iii.  Actions including links to other policies/plans/measures

• Maintain surveillance on levels and distribution of underwater archaeological studies. Possibly though liaison with existing archaeological bodies and diving clubs such as Cambria Archaeology and the British Sub-Aqua Club.

• Argue for review of the legislation controlling the use of explosives (e.g. The Control of Explosives Act (1991)) to enable better management of their use within or adjacent to Welsh waters supporting cetacea, including the Cardigan Bay cSAC.

[137] Under The Control of Explosives Act (1991)