Save our Sea   SOS   Achubwch Ein Môr

The Bay and its Wildlife

Cardigan Bay – the largest bay in the United Kingdom – is a great place. Home to amazing wildlife – under the sea, on the sea bed, along the cliffs and coast, and in the air. Sea mammals include one of only two resident populations of bottlenose dolphins in the United Kingdom (the other is in the Moray Firth in Scotland), grey seals, harbour porpoise, sea otters and even Minke and occasional Killer whales (‘Orcas’). Unusual visitors include basking sharks, sun fish and leatherback turtles. Sea and river lamprey, mackerel and many other fish species are present. In the air, skuas, fulmars, kittiwakes, guillemots, cormorants, gannets, oystercatchers and choughs are found.

      
Photographs courtesy of Hanna Nuutilla

The Amazing Seabed
Much of this life depends on the activity of the complex ecosystem that is the seabed. Molluscs, including shellfish, such as scallops, annelid worms, brittle-stars, starfish and others play a role – fish and others feed on larval forms. A continuous process of breaking down feedstuffs produced by other organisms enables these ‘benthic’  organisms to live and grow, and in turn to support other species. Most of the time we don’t see the seabed – but its viability is critical. In short, Cardigan Bay is a complex ecosystem – an amazing and fragile place that needs to be protected.

Eco-tourism in the Bay

Hundreds of thousands of visitors come to the Bay every year, many come time and again – to experience the beauty, the beaches, the sea and the wildlife. Cardigan Bay is increasingly recognized as a venue for ‘eco-tourism’. Much of the local economy along the coasts of Pembrokeshire, Ceredigion, Dyfed and the Lleyn Peninsula depends on the visitors who come.

SOS Campaigns

Save our Sea was set up in 2006 to protect the Bay from threats to it. With the never ending drive to find sources of energy, the UK Government is seeking to allow exploration for oil and gas to occur in the Bay. We have opposed this and been successful – so far. A major threat is the impact of dredging for scallops – large vessels pulling metal dredges through the seabed, without restriction, are damaging it badly. We are campaigning against unsustainable levels of dredging and pressing for restrictions and planning for sustainability.

Cardigan Bay - A Marine Reserve?

Two large areas have been set up in Cardigan Bay under European legislation (the ‘Habitats Directive’)  to protect certain species and habitats – Special Areas of Conservation (SACs). The Cardigan Bay SAC lies to the south, from Cardigan to Aberaeron, the Pen Llyn ar Sarnau SAC to the north of the Bay. SOS have been astonished to find how little such protections actually mean. It hasn’t stopped the government pushing for oil and gas exploration in them, or (to date) the destructive action of dredgers. We need to ensure protections are real.

And what about the rest of the Bay? The whole Bay matters and species are highly mobile within it. SOS is campaigning to have the whole of the Bay protected, and supporting moves to have the Bay designated a ‘Highly Protected Marine Reserve’ under the new Marine Bill, or as a National Marine Park.

Who are SOS? 

SOS is a non-political organisation. It comprises a group of individuals of varied background, who meet regularly to plan, to publicise , to demonstrate, to pressurize - and to effect change. SOS works actively with others who also fight hard to protect the Bay and its wildlife. These include Friends of Cardigan Bay (FOCB) , the Whales and Dolphin Conservation Society (WDCS), the Cardigan Bay Marine Wildlife Centre and the Marine Conservation Society (MCS). We warmly welcome new members at any time to support our campaigns.

Contact SOS

Telephone : 01970 820130    Email : info@savecardiganbay.org.uk

SOS Campaign Team

Lorraine Hill – Chairperson
An environmental campaigner for as long as I can remember. My first success was stopping the Territorial Army using Pen Dinas in Aberystwyth as a site for manoevres in the early 1970’s. A founder member of Friends of Cardigan Bay (1989) and a member of many other wildlife organisations including the British Arachnological Society! Originally from Llanelli, I met my husband in Aberystwyth and married in 1981. We have three children and four grand-children.

Elly Foster – Spokesperson
Private tutor, science teacher, local Green Party activist and lifelong wildlife campaigner.

Chris Simpson - Secretary
I moved to Aberystwyth in 1982, to take up the post of consultant pathologist at Bronglais Hospital. I am married with three grown-up daughters, all of whom went to schools in Aberystwyth. I have been an active member of the Green Party since 1979, and I have been a councillor on Aberystwyth Town Council for the last sixteen years. Sustainability has always been one of my main interests, even more so since finding out about the problems associated with "peak oil". (Go to www.fraw.org.uk and look at
"Energy Beyond Oil" for more information about peak oil.)

Bert Moore – Treasurer
Bert and his wife Beryl are both founder members of SOS. Bert has been coordinator for the Cwmtydu Bay Wildlife Organisation for the last 7 years, through that organisation he and Beryl are involved in the protection and rescue of seal pups. They have also been volunteer workers with 'Dolphin Watch' in Newquay for the last 7 years - and as if all that wasn't enough to keep them busy they have also been countryside wardens with the local county council for 4 years.

Marilyn Elson – Campaign Team Member
Newquay Town Councillor. Environmental campaigner for over 30 years. Campaigner on public transport and proper connectivity to enable all local people to have the opportunity to be actively involved in their communities. Active local committee member. Very concerned about the sustainability of Cardigan Bay for the future.

David Grimsell – Campaign Team Member
Independent chartered psychologist and chartered scientist. Campaigner on environmental and animal welfare issues for over ten years. Moved to Wales four years ago from Wiltshire and loves the dramatic west Wales coastline and it’s marvelous wildlife. Concerned, above all, that we should respect the feelings and individuality of non-human animals. Responsible for current website content.

Leila Kirsch – Campaign Team Member
I am a married mother of two and have lived in Ceredigion for just over 8 years at time of writing. My particular concerns are the environment, education, and injustice in the world. All of which I campaign on regularly. I am a member of the Green Party, and was  chosen to stand as the first choice candidate for the mid and west region in the Welsh Assembly elections in May 2007. I have a BSc Environmental Biology and MSc Environmental Education.

Keith Mason - Website Design & Hosting
Real-ale and malt whisky enthusiast. Keith has anarchist tendencies but is mostly harmless; has low opinion of politicians & governments and former Blair gov't in particular (but Brown gov't and other lot don't seem much better); likes to visit Cardigan Bay and Ceredigion coast area for recreational purposes (looking forward to next visit). See Houses of Parliament blown up at end of movie V for Vendetta Hoorah! (if only...)