AN INNOVATIVE way of protecting our coastal wildlife has been developed by the Pembroke Dock company behind the Pembrokeshire Marine Code.

Working with boat tour operator Tenby Boat Trips, Pembrokeshire Coastal Forum has deployed special Marine Code Buoys around Caldey and St Margaret’s Island, with the aim of protecting the wildlife found along these coastlines.

Caldey Island is an SSSI and has a grey seal population of approximately 100, while St Margaret’s Island is a designated nature reserve, and is a nesting ground for many Atlantic sea birds.

There have been concerns surrounding the behaviour of some leisure users around these areas and there have been reports of kayakers consistently getting too close to the seals.

The buoys have been placed to mark the boundaries for key wildlife areas around the island, to encourage water users to slow down and keep their distance.

This project is the first of its kind in Wales, and the request for this new novel approach came directly from wildlife tour boat operators.

Paul Renfro, sustainable recreation manager at Pembrokeshire Coastal Forum said: “The buoys are in the water to promote the message of the Marine Code, whose aim is to protect Pembrokeshire’s amazing wildlife. It’s great to have Tenby Boat Trips as a partner in this project deploying the buoys and monitoring them throughout the season. Having a tour boat operator at the centre of this project is really positive for us, as we continue to work with similar companies across the county.”