PREFACE

SUMMARY

HOW TO USE THIS DOCUMENT

CONTENTS

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 The purpose of this management plan

1.2 Legal obligations

1.3 Policies of the relevant authorities

1.4 The Life Project

1.4.1 Background

1.4.2 Human Activities

1.4.3 Dynamics and Sensitivity Characteristics

1.4.4 Further Information

2. SITE DESCRIPTION

2.1 General information

2.1.1 Location

2.1.2 Site Management

2.1.2.1 Marine Management Responsibilities

2.1.2.2 Liaison Framework for the cSAC

2.1.3 Land and seabed ownership

2.1.4 Maps of the site

2.1.4.1 Navigation, bathymetry, sea bed substrates and tidal strengths

2.1.4.2 Geology & Geomorphology

2.1.4.3 Coastline

2.1.4.4 Marine Communities

2.1.5 Photographic coverage

2.1.6 Zones

2.2 Environmental Information

2.2.1 Physical

2.2.1.1 Climate

2.2.1.2 Exposure

2.2.1.3 Turbidity

2.2.1.4 Temperature

2.2.1.5 Salinity

2.2.1.6 Stratification & Fronts

2.2.1.7 Tides

2.2.1.8 Sediment transport

2.2.1.9 Geology & Geomorphology

2.2.1.10 Topography

2.2.2 Chemical

2.2.3 Biological

2.2.3.1 Benthic flora, fauna and communities

2.2.3.2 Other significant marine flora, fauna and communities

2.2.3.3 The bottlenose dolphins

2.3 Human Activities

2.3.1 Mining

2.3.2 Ports and Harbours

2.3.3 Fisheries

2.3.3.1 Sea Fisheries

2.3.3.2 Migratory Salmonids

2.3.3.3 Sea Angling

2.3.4 Military

2.3.5 Archaeology

2.3.6 Leisure

2.3.6.1 Tourism

2.3.6.2 Recreation

2.3.6.3 Education and interpretation

2.3.7 Scientific research

2.3.8 Management for nature conservation

 

3. EVALUATION OF THE cSAC

3.1 The site in wider perspective and implications for management

3.2 Evaluation

3.2.1 Evaluation for nature conservation

3.2.1.1 Size and Range

3.2.1.2 Diversity

3.2.1.3 Naturalness

3.2.1.4 Rarity

3.2.1.5 Fragility

3.2.1.6 Typicalness

3.2.1.7 Recorded history

3.2.1.8 Ecological position

3.2.1.9 Potential for improvement or restoration

3.3.2 Evaluation of the cSAC for public use, access, education and interpretation

3.3.3 Evaluation for research and study

4. CONSERVATION OBJECTIVE, LIMITS & MONITORING

4.1 Introduction

4.2 Explanation of the structure of the conservation objective

4.3 The identification and selection of attributes for the Cardigan Bay bottlenose dolphins

4.4 Objective, limits and monitoring

4.5 Current condition of the feature

4.6 Surveillance of additional attributes

4.7 Further work needed

5. FACTORS WHICH INFLUENCE OR MAY INFLUENCE THE BOTTLENOSE DOLPHINS

5.1 Introduction

5.1.1 Main Impact Mechanisms

5.1.1.1 Disturbance

5.1.1.2 Collisions

5.1.1.3 Pollution

5.1.1.4 Entanglement & Ingestion

5.1.1.5 Pathogens

5.1.1.6 Prey depletion

5.1.1.7 Habitat Impacts

5.1.2 Assessing certain types of operation

a. Plans and projects

b. Environmental Impact Assessment

5.1.3 Generic management options

5.2 Natural factors

5.3 Human induced factors

5.3.1 Coastal Development & Defence

5.3.2 Aggregate Extraction

5.3.3 Navigational Dredging (including capital projects)

5.3.4 Cables and Pipelines

5.3.5 Electricity Generation

5.3.5.1 Fossil fuels

5.3.5.2 Nuclear

5.3.5.3 Alternative (Offshore energy structures)

5.3.6 Effluent Disposal

5.3.7 Land Runoff

5.3.8 Historical Activities

5.3.9 Commercial Boat Trip Operators

5.3.10 Recreational Activities

5.3.10.1 Swimming, snorkelling and diving

5.3.10.2 Recreational vessels

5.3.11 Commercial filming and photography

5.3.12 Research Activities

5.3.13 Military Activities

5.3.14 Shipping

5.3.15 Offshore Oil & Gas

5.3.16 Marine Archaeology & Salvage

5.3.17 Fishing

5.3.18 Littering

5.3.19 Non-Native Marine Species

5.3.20 Climate Change

5.4 Other considerations relevant to management of the cSAC

5.4.1 Legislation for marine SACs

5.4.2 Public Rights

5.4.2.1 Navigation

5.4.2.2 Sea Fisheries

5.4.2.3 Access to the foreshore

5.4.3 Owner/occupier objectives

5.4.3.1 Crown Estate Commissioners

5.4.3.2 Leases of land within the cSAC made by the Crown Estate Commissioners

5.4.3.3 Harbour authorities

5.4.4 Environmental Considerations

5.4.4.1 Range of the bottlenose dolphin and its prey

5.4.4.2 Management and monitoring of the marine environment

5.4.4.3 Level of current knowledge

5.4.4.4 Lack or awareness and understanding

5.4.5 Resources

5.4.5.1 The Life Project

5.4.5.2 EU Objective 1 Funding

6. SUMMARY LIST OF ACTIONS

Additional Actions

7. RECORDING, REVIEW AND REPORTING

7.1 Recording

7.2 Review

7.2.1 Review of condition of the bottlenose dolphin population against the conservation objectives

7.2.2 Review of implementation of management actions

7.2.3 Review of the effectiveness of management actions on factors

7.2.4 Review of what management is required

7.2.5 Review of the conservation objectives

7.3 Reporting

8. REFERENCES

Appendix 1

Extracts from the Conservation (Natural Habitats &c.) Regulations 1994 (SI 1994/2716)

Regulation 3: General duties of competent authorities

Regulation 5: Identification of relevant authorities for marine areas

Regulation 6: Identification of competent authorities

Regulation 33: Advice by CCW for European marine sites

Regulations 34 and 35: Management schemes for European marine sites

Regulations 48 to 53: Consideration of plans and projects

Appendix 2

Maps

Appendix 3.

Research and study literature for bottlenose dolphins in Cardigan Bay.

Appendix 4

Boat users guide.

Appendix 5

Passenger boat operators code of conduct.

Appendix 6.

Cardigan Bay marine mammal work in 1998.

Cardigan Bay marine mammal work in 1999.