Cardigan Bay Dolphins

The Oakeley Arms is situated close to one of the most beautiful bays in Wales. Cardigan Bay sweeps the entire length of the west coast of Wales – from the edge of Bardsey Island in the North to Pembrokeshire in the South. It encompasses two different National Parks – Snowdonia and Pembrokeshire and three different counties – Gwynedd, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire. It is as varied as it is beautiful – dotted with wide, golden beaches, steep grey cliffs and secret smugglers coves.

But one of the most famous residents of Cardigan Bay are the beautiful Bottlenose dolphins that make their home here every summer. Cardigan Bay has the largest population of dolphins in the UK, and their calm beauty and friendly demeanor mean they are big hits with tourists and local people alike.

Beautiful dolphins of Cardigan Bay
Image by NASAs on Wiki Commons

However, some new research by the Sea Watch Foundation shows that these beautiful creatures aren’t spending quite as much time in Cardigan Bay as they used to. Although they aren’t disappearing from the area altogether, the foundation warns that it has the potential to become a real problem in the future if some issues aren’t addressed now. One such issue is the increased use of motor boats and leisure craft along the length of Cardigan Bay – the foundation thinks that the dolphins are seeking quieter and calmer waters around the northern coastline of Wales and the Isle of Man.

And while the Sea Watch Foundation does not call for a ban or limitations on the number of sea craft, it does call for tighter adherence to the regulations already in place – especially in the Special Conservation Areas (of which there are two along the Bay). In these areas, there are strict no fishing policies and an 8 knot speed limit.

You can find more details on the full story here. If you’d like to arrange a trip to see the dolphins of Cardigan Bay, check with the Porthmadog TIC ([email protected] or 01766 512981) for details of the nearest tours and excursions.

And to find out more about the work of the Sea Watch Foundation, click here.