5.4.4.1    Range of the bottlenose dolphin and its prey

Bottlenose dolphins roam over a wider area than the cSAC site. The limits of their range and to what degree they may interact with other groups of bottlenose dolphins is currently unknown.

Bottlenose dolphins feed on prey which may have travelled from some distance outside the cSAC, such as mackerel, salmon and herring.

The Cardigan Bay bottlenose dolphins may therefore be affected by factors occurring well beyond the limits of the cSAC and outside the regulatory powers of the Cardigan Bay cSAC relevant authorities. Whilst there is a legal responsibility on all UK competent authorities to undertake their duties so as to secure compliance with the Habitats Directive, many may be unaware of these responsibilities and how best to undertake them. See section below on awareness and understanding. Furthermore, it is possible that some factors which detrimentally affect the bottlenose dolphins are being applied outside UK waters and the control of its competent authorities. E.g. the pollution of the seas by other countries, over fishing of migratory prey species of the bottlenose dolphin.

Actions, including links to other policies/plans/measures

• Distribute the management plan widely, in particular to competent authorities.
• Ensure all relevant departments within relevant authority organisations and local competent authorities are aware of responsibilities and best means of securing compliance.

5.4.4.2    Management and monitoring of the marine environment

Unlike a terrestrial site, there is no clear means of direct management (such as scrub clearance, grazing regimes and burning) of the bottlenose dolphins or of the habitat on which it relies. We are only able to contribute to the maintenance of a favourable condition by tailoring our management such that it enables natural processes to take their course.

A considerable proportion of condition and compliance monitoring as well as most site research and surveillance will need to take place on or in the sea. The marine environment poses considerable logistical, health and safety and resource constraints to those who undertake such work.

Actions, including links to other policies/plans/measures

• Make effective use of new technology to minimise the amount of work required at sea.

5.4.4.3    Level of current knowledge

Our knowledge of the Cardigan Bay bottlenose dolphins is poor. In particular, it is our lack of understanding of their particular requirements of the Cardigan Bay area as well as the extent and means by which human activities are effecting them, which act as a constraint to effective management. Recent work under the auspices of the Life project has made considerable inroads into collating existing information and developing our current level of understanding. Further Life projects are addressing monitoring requirements and the distribution of potential dolphin prey and PCB pollution. However, to answer some of the most fundamental management questions a comprehensive programme of research over many years is required. Such programmes are costly and, unfortunately, the completion of the Life project and the resulting lack of resources to fund such work will be a major constraint to effective site management. (See section below on resources.)

Actions, including links to other policies/plans/measures

• Seek funding to resource further essential research.
• Initiate more relevant research.

5.4.4.4    Lack or awareness and understanding

It is possible that competent authorities (and the general public) some distance from the cSAC will not consider the potential for their actions to affect a species on a site many miles away and of which they might not be aware.

Actions, including links to other policies/plans/measures

• Distribute the management plan widely, in particular to competent authorities.
• Ensure all relevant departments within relevant authority organisations and local competent authorities are aware of responsibilities and best means of securing compliance.