Scientific surveys and research
From sea floor to sea shore, seeing more.
The pages of our website will show you some of the riches of Cardigan Bay, the threats to it and how we all can be part of the solution. Whether you are a visitor to the Bay, a resident of the Bay area or purely a visitor on the web, we hope you will find our work interesting.
Friends of Cardigan Bay is an active conservation group based in Aberystwyth on the shores of Cardigan Bay, West Wales. Founded in 1989, our aims are;
To conserve and improve the quality of the environment of Cardigan Bay for all life
Increase public awareness of the effects of pollution and other threats to the Bay and its inhabitants
Join with other local and national organizations in monitoring the environment of the Bay and campaigning for it's proper protection.
Present and future direction of Friends of Cardigan Bay:
Our emphasis at present is on research and monitoring of the rich and diverse flora and fauna of the Bay around Aberystwyth. It is this research and long term monitoring that provides a stable platform for future management decisions. We believe that present management frameworks are woefully in-adequate in protecting this fragile environment, and fully support the future Marine Bill.
In 2007 we were one of only eight stakeholders in the UK that were asked by The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) to contribute to a campaigning film in support of a marine bill called, 'A Fair Share of The Sea' Follow the link to view the film WWF-UK: A fair share of the sea .
During 2000-2008 we conducted:
- A weekly dolphin watch from Aberystwyth castle over the summer months
- Offshore bottlenose dolphin surveys throughout Cardigan Bay part funded by the Countryside Council for Wales utilising our own survey vessels.
- Instigated a series of benthic surveys linked to the foraging of the bottlenose dolphin at previously identified hotspots (See 2005 Sarn's report) This was the first time in Cardigan Bay that this approach had been adopted using Seasearch techniques to evaluate benthic biotopes, and determine potential prey species.
- Continuing Investigations of the unique wildlife found on Sarn Cynfelyn, our local reef running off Wallog, near Clarach Bay, from above and below the surface.
- A collaboration with Aberystwyth University looking at the use of Aberystwyth harbour by the bottlenose dolphin as part of a M.Sc. project.
In 2009 we took delivery of our new survey boat 'Morgan-Le-Fey' and continue to monitor our unique wildlife in Cardigan Bay, despite a total absence in Government funding. This work is supported by generous donations, our own dedicated volunteers and general membership subscriptions with underwater expertise provided again on a voluntary basis through 'Seasearch' diving weekends.
We work closely with other marine wildlife groups and government departments covering the Welsh coast such as the Countryside Council for Wales, Cardigan Bay Marine Wildlife Centre, Cardigan Bay Special Area of Conservation and Aberystwyth University. By sharing information we can work together to build up a better picture of the overall health of the Bay.
For the 'Aberystwyth Bottlenose Dolphin survey and results 2008' please click below
For 2009: We will be continuing a limited amount of cetacean surveys (funded by ourselves (due to a lack of government funding) and continuing with our program of benthic surveys in and around Aberystwyth.
For the latest Marine Monitoring report to The countryside Council for Wales:
Hughes, P. and Hughes, R, E. 2009. Sarn Cynfelyn to the Dyfi Estuary: Habitat and Cetacean Survey 2006/7.CCW Marine Monitoring Report No. 69.
Click Here
For more information please email :- cbc.focb@yahoo.co.uk
