Hunt for whales and dolphins (From Western Telegraph)

Hunt for whales and dolphins

Cardigan Bay is to be the subject of a detailed survey of whales and dolphins by Greenpeace and the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society (WDCS).

The survey of cetaceans (the collective name for whales, dolphins and porpoises), is to be carried out aboard Greenpeace's flagship Rainbow Warrior. The survey will add to recent studies, and hopes to establish exactly which species are present and which habitats they are using.

Cardigan Bay is one of the last remaining areas of the UK where cetaceans still seem to be relatively common. Bottlenose and the less common Risso's Dolphins have been recorded but there are grave concerns about the survival of such species in the face of threats from chemical and noise pollution, capture in fishing nets and other factors causing habitat degradation.

The bay includes several proposed Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) and it is hoped that the results of the survey will provide information to aid the development of SAC plans.