Give Cardigan Bay marine wildlife the space they deserve

Visitors and residents are being reminded to stay at least 100 metres away from marine wildlife, including dolphins, seals and birds, along Cardigan Bay.

The North and West Wales Marine Code in Cardigan Bay advises people to stay at least the length of a football pitch away from any wildlife on the water, cliffs or shore.

Now is an important time for nesting seabirds and disturbance can cause their eggs or chicks to get knocked off the cliffs into the sea.

Melanie Heath, Marine Protected Area officer for Cardigan Bay, said: “If you encounter any sick or injured wildlife, such as a seal or dolphin stranded on the shore, do not attempt to intervene.

“Do not try to put the animal back in the water yourself. They have stranded for a reason, because they are unwell or injured and require urgent professional medical assessment. Keep your distance and keep other people, dogs and gulls away from the stranded wildlife.”

Councillor Clive Davies, Ceredigion County Council Cabinet Member, added: “It’s important to follow the marine code and stay at least 100 metres away. We are proud to work in partnership with many agencies to protect our wildlife along the coastline and inland.”

To report stranded wildlife, call the RSPCA on 03001 234999 for live strandings and the Cetacean Strandings Investigation Team 08006 520333 for dead strandings. To report a disturbance, visit www.cardiganbaysac.org.uk/disturbance/ .

The North and West Wales Marine Code in Cardigan Bay has been developed by the Wales Group of European Marine Site Officers.

Cardigan Bay is valued for both its special wildlife and for the opportunities it provides for recreational activities on, in and under the water.

Previous impact on protected species and habitats have included motorboats, kayaks and stand-up paddle boards getting too close to marine mammals, water users travelling through rafts of resting seabirds and getting too close to their cliff nesting sites and people seeking selfies with seals and their pups that have hauled themselves onto the rocks to rest.