The Ceredigion Marine Heritage Coast

The Ceredigion Marine Heritage Coast is the first area to be established in Britain and recoginses the unspoilt nature of the coastline and its wildlife.

These coastal waters are home to an abundance of marine life including bottlenose dolphins, harbour poroise, grey seals and many sea birds and fish.

Bottlenose dolphins and harbour porpoise are protected by law under the Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981), Research has shown that dolphins and porpoises can be affected by power boats operating at speed, either by causing a collision, or by their engine noise interfering with the animal's sensitive echolocation system.

Please help us to protect this area that is special to many. You can do this by :-

• Not Exceeding 8 knots.
• Adopting good boating practice around wildlife.
• Reporting any incident of delibrate harassment of wildlife to the Harbourmaster.
• Following the Code of Conduct.

A Speedboat Zone has been created for the benefit of those boats wanting to travel ar speed in this area safely. This area is free from swimmers and sheltered from the prevailing wins.

The Harboumaster is authorised to withdraw lauching permits from defaulters. The maximum penalty is ¦pound;400 for breaking bylaw speed limits.

THE CODE OF CONDUCT

Boats

• Please operate all boats with care and attention for the safety of occupants and respect for other sea users.

Seals

• Do not interfere with seals or their pups on the beach. Please leave them alone as any attempt to approach them may cause them distress.
• Control dogs and keep them away from seals.

Birds

• When sailing keep 100 metres out from cliffs in the breeding season (1^st March - 31^st July) inclusive.
• Do not sail directly towards rafts of birds nesting or feeding on the sea.
• Please avoid unnecessary noise close to cliffs.

Fishing

• Do not discard fishing tackle - please take it home for proper disposal.

Jet-Skis

• Please do not launch or operate Jet-Skis in the area.

Divers

• Please observe the BSAC code of conduct.

Beaches

• Please take all your litter home.
• Abide by dog bye-laws.
• Replace any rocks you move on the shore - the animals that live under them soon die if left exposed.

STRANDED MARINE ANIMALS

If you should encounter an injured marine mammal such as a dolphin, porpoise or seal on a Ceredigion beaches, please contact the Welsh Strandings Network immediately on (01348) 875000 or Live Strandings (RSPCA) Tel (0345) 888999.