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Researchers from the
Cardigan
Bay Marine Wildlife Centre &
Friends of Cardigan Bay
are teaming up to carry out
cetacean surveys throughout
Cardigan Bay.
This is your chance to join a Dolphin Survey Boat Trip aboard MV Sulaire with scientific teams from both organisations, to see some fantastic marine life, to contribute to dolphin conservation in Cardigan Bay as well as the opportunity to join a team of experts! The main aim of these trips is to carry out a scientific survey of the bottlenose dolphins of Cardigan Bay but the trips also provide a fantastic opportunity to see other marine wildlife such as Atlantic grey seals, harbour porpoises and a variety of seabirds including gannets, manx shearwaters, razorbills and guillemots to name a few. For more details and to book your place on one of these unique trips please call the CBMWC on 01545 560032. The cost is £55 per person for the day. Places must be booked in advance and are limited to 8 per trip. 2011 Trip dates are: April - Sunday 10th, Wednesday 20th May – Wednesday 11th, Sunday 29th June - Sunday 12th, Wednesday 22nd July – Wednesday 6th, Sunday 24th August – Wednesday 10th, Sunday 28th September – Sunday 11th, Wednesday 28th October – Sunday 9th, Wednesday 26th Trips will depart from either Aberystwyth or New Quay between 8 and 9am and will last approximately 8 hours (subject to weather conditions and sightings). Trip details will be confirmed upon booking. Vessel information Sulaire is a 33ft modern charter vessel licensed and insured to carry 14 people. She is equipped with the latest electronic and safety equipment. There is a toilet on board and a part sheltered deck area. Hot drinks will be provided but please bring your own food, warm clothing, binoculars, sensible shoes and don’t forget your camera! Please remember that these are wild animals and sightings cannot be guaranteed. For the sightings information from these trips please see: http://www.cbmwc.org/sightings/sighting_summary.asp?newsID=1157
Courtesy
CBMWC |
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.
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For our latest newsletter please download your copy here: New_Folder2/FocB Newsletter 2011_2012 - low res.pdf
During 2000-2010 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.
For 2011:
Several of our members are also fully qualified Marine Mammal Medics trained by British Divers Marine Life Rescue and where possible will respond to any stranding in Cardigan Bay via the BDMLR hotline
.RESCUE HOTLINE: 01825 765546 (out of hours: 07787 433412)
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.
We are now also listed in Planet Whale's directory of
Global Cetacean Conservation Organisations.
For the 'Aberystwyth Bottlenose Dolphin survey and results 2008'
please click below
For 2009/10: 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:
please click below
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.
For more information please email :- cbc.focb@yahoo.co.uk
