Cardigan Bay: Protecting Wales’ Marine Paradise in 2025
A Unique Marine Sanctuary
Cardigan Bay boasts an exceptionally rich marine environment teeming with wildlife. Throughout the year, visitors can observe bottlenose dolphins, harbour porpoise, Atlantic grey seals, and diverse bird species. These habitats and wildlife are recognised as nationally and internationally significant.
Conservation Efforts and Challenges
The bay is home to the largest population of bottlenose dolphins in the UK, which has been under careful study since 2000, making it one of Europe’s longest-running monitoring projects. In response to growing tourism, authorities have implemented the North and West Wales Marine Code, requiring visitors to maintain at least 100 metres distance from marine wildlife, whether in water, on cliffs, or shore. This includes seals, dolphins, and nesting birds.
Research and Education Initiatives
The Cardigan Bay Marine Wildlife Centre in New Quay serves as a vital hub for marine wildlife observation and research. Originally established in 1996, it continues its mission of conserving the bay’s marine wildlife through education and research initiatives. For the 2025 field season, running from March 24th to November 3rd, the centre is actively recruiting enthusiastic individuals to assist with marine megafauna research and community engagement work, offering opportunities for people to contribute directly to marine conservation efforts.
Future Outlook
The area’s unique status is reinforced by its designation as two Special Areas of Conservation (SACs), protecting rare habitats including rocky reefs, sandbanks, and sea caves. The variety of these protected habitats contributes significantly to the abundance of marine wildlife in the region. Visitors hoping to experience the bay’s marine life should note that the summer months between May and September offer the best dolphin-watching opportunities, coinciding with the main calving season. The southern Cardigan Bay SAC is particularly noted for dolphin sightings.
