Visitors to the Welsh coastline (UK) this summer are being reminded not to disturb the marine wildlife after reports of swimmers approaching the wild bottlenose dolphins which frequent the Cardigan Bay area.
Over 200 bottlenose dolphins are known to this area in any year, with numbers increasing throughout the summer and reaching a peak in late September and October. The coastline is a perfect feeding and breeding grounds for the dolphins who live around Cardigan Bay, off the North Pembrokeshire coast.
During summer months, hundreds of dolphins can sometimes be seen, many with very young calves and their protection is vital. There is in place, the Ceredigion Marine Code of Conduct which requests water users to stay 100 metres away from the dolphins if encountered at sea to ensure the marine mammals natural behaviour are not being disturbed, or are forced to leave their resting/ feeding areas.
Many people may want to swim with wild dolphins but the question is do dolphins want to swim with us?
