Cardigan Bay Special Area of Conservation

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Coordinates: 52°15′N 4°32′W / 52.250°N 4.533°W / 52.250; -4.533
Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Cardigan Bay Special Area of Conservation (SAC) in

UK, has been designated under European Union law to protect a variety of important species and habitats.[1]

Located between Ceibwr Bay in Pembrokeshire and Aberarth in Ceredigion, and extending almost 20 km from the coast, the SAC protects the wildlife of some 1000 km² of sea.[2][3]

Conservation aims

Dolphin watching information for visitors

The protected area supports a large variety of marine animals and plants, from reef-building worms to bottlenose dolphins—Europe’s largest population of the latter, there being few places where they are more easily seen in the wild.[4][5]

There are seven features for whose conservation the area has been designated:[6]

"Cardigan Bay’s Big Three" include bottlenose dolphins,

leatherback turtle
, a very rare, critically endangered species, is also known to visit the bay.

Management of the SAC is directed through the Relevant Authorities Group (RAG), coordinated by a SAC Officer. The aim of the SAC is to maintain its rich and varied marine life (biodiversity) in at least as good a condition as when the site was first designated – ideally to bring it into ‘Favourable Conservation Status’.[3]: pp.45–48  Special attention is paid to ensuring that human activities carried out in the area are done so sustainably.[3]: p.147 

See also

References

  1. ^ Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) at Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC)
  2. ^ "Cardigan Bay SAC". cardiganbaysac.org.uk.
  3. ^ a b c Cardigan Bay Special Area of Conservation (SAC) Management Scheme compiled by the Relevant Authorities Group for Cardigan Bay SAC, 2008
  4. ^ Evans, P. G. H., Anderwald, P. & Baines, M. (2003) UK Cetacean Status Review. Report to English Nature & Countryside Council for Wales, 160pp.
  5. ^ Louise Tickle Dolphins bully porpoises, researcher discovers, The Guardian, 11 May 2010. Retrieved 2012-01-12.
  6. ^ Cardigan Bay/ Bae Ceredigion at Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC).
  7. ^ The first recorded sighting was in 2005.
  8. ^ "BBC NEWS - UK - Wales - Mid - Humpback whale sightings in bay". bbc.co.uk.

External links

52°15′N 4°32′W / 52.250°N 4.533°W / 52.250; -4.533

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