Cardigan Bay Special Area of Conservation
Cardigan Bay – a special place
The fantastic variety of life and habitats of Cardigan Bay and the Teifi River make them outstanding and internationally important environments. As a result, they have been declared Special Areas of Conservation.
What is a Special Area of Conservation
(SAC)?
A SAC is a statutory European designation that will help to ensure that
the area and its wildlife are safeguarded for the benefit and enjoyment
of future generations.
Wonderfully wild
While the bottlenose dolphins may steal the limelight, we must not forget
the other fascinating wildlife and habitats that make up the diversity
of life here in Cardigan Bay. Rich reef, sandbank and sea cave habitats
support a multitude of species, from the most primitive of all living
vertebrates, the eel like sea lamprey, to the impressive male Atlantic
grey seals that grow up to 2.7m long (9ft).
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Bottlenose dolphins |
Atlantic grey seals |
Sea Caves |
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River and Sea Lamprey |
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Log on and learn: For more information about Cardigan Bay SAC visit www.cardiganbaysac.org.uk or call the SAC Officer on 01545 572139
A spotters guide!
Bottlenose dolphins, harbour porpoise, Atlantic grey seals and the area’s abundant bird life can all be seen close to the shore. Keep your eyes peeled to see what you can see!
‘Hotspot Map’ - map of the area + key for dolphins/porpoise, seals and sea birds
To be marked as places to spot species:
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Seals:
Sea Birds:
The
coast path:
The coastal paths of Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire follow the dramatic cliff
tops and offer great opportunities to spot local wildlife, whether it’s
on land or at sea!
Specialised boat trips:
To minimise disturbance to our sensitive wildlife we suggest you take a
trip on one of Ceredigion’s tour boats. Not only will the knowledgeable
skippers be able to answer all your questions about the animals, they
will also following the Marine Code of Conduct and reducing possible
impacts on the local environment. For more information contact the local
Tourist Information Centres.
Spot the difference – dolphin or porpoise
Cardigan Bay is home to large numbers of both bottlenose dolphins and harbour porpoise. They can often be seen very close to the shore, but to distinguish between them is quite a challenge. Here are some pointers to help you out!
Bottlenose
dolphins - giants of the Bay
Distinctive features:
Length: up to 4m (13ft)
Dorsal Fin: tall, sickle-shaped dorsal fin,
Colour: Dark grey back, getting lighter round to a white belly
Head & Beak: short ‘bottlenose’ beak, often white-tipped
on lower jaw
Behaviour: Playful, often jumping clear of the water and bow-riding boats
Other facts:
Reproduction: Female dolphins will give birth to a single calf every 2-3
years
Diet: Dolphins are not fussy! They will take a variety of fish, crustaceans
and squid.
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WDCS 
The
humble harbour porpoise
Distinctive features:
Length: up to 1.8m (5.9ft)
Dorsal Fin: Small central triangular fin
Colour: dark grey back, with paler patch on flanks
Head & Beak: Short blunt head with no forehead or beak
Behaviour: Rarely leaps clear of water; normal view is glimpse of back
and small fin
Other facts:
Reproduction: Female porpoises will give birth to a single calf every year
Diet: Like dolphins, porpoises will eat what is available, and prey on
similar species.
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WDCS Doing your bit for the Bay!
It is the responsibility of all of us to protect our valuable environment. Playing your part is as easy as 1, 2, 3!
1. Marine wildlife is easily disturbed – whether in a boat or the beach please follow the Marine Conservation Code of Conduct (available at Tourist Information Centres)
2. Wildlife can be harmed by litter – please take it home. Recycle what you can.
3. Rockpool life is easily damaged – it’s great to look, but better not to touch.
Time to volunteer?
Volunteers make a huge contribution to helping us collect valuable data
about dolphins, clear litter from beaches and raise awareness about the
importance of our local environment. Call us to join the team.
For those that can spare 2 hours a week in the summer 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.
For more information contact Liz Allan on 01545 572142 or visit www.cardiganbaysac.org.uk
Click here for information on bird watching around Cardigan
The Teifi River Trail is a great way to discover the wildlife of Cardigan
Explore the Cardigan Geological Landscape
©Menter Aberteifi