People have been urged to give dolphins space in Cardigan Bay after reports of individuals approaching a mother dolphin and her calf at close range and surrounding them in New Quay harbour.
Harbour authority warning
Ceredigion Harbour Authority is reminding all paddleboarders, kayakers, swimmers and other water users to give dolphins plenty of space. While many encounters are unintentional and driven by excitement and curiosity, getting too close can cause stress to the animals and may interfere with important behaviours such as feeding, resting and caring for young calves.
Dolphins are protected under wildlife legislation, and it is an offence to deliberately disturb them. Furthermore, people could put themselves in danger if they get too close to "vulnerable" and "powerful animals".
Expert advice
Melanie Heath, Cardigan Bay marine protected area officer, said: "We are incredibly fortunate to have dolphins regularly visiting and living in Ceredigion and seeing them is often a highlight for those enjoying our coastline."
"While we understand the excitement that comes with such encounters, this is a dangerous situation. Dolphins are big powerful animals, up to four metres long, and apex predators."
"A female with a calf is particularly vulnerable to disturbance and may become aggressive to protect her calf. There have been incidents around the UK of bottlenose dolphins attacking humans who are in too close proximity by ramming, tail thrashing or trying to hold them under the water."
"To keep both people and the dolphins safe, we need everyone to give them space and keep at least 100 metres, the length of a football pitch, away."
Safety plea
Mother dolphins with young calves can be particularly vulnerable to disturbance. People are being asked not to approach, follow or attempt to interact with dolphins, and to move away if in the water, and not to enter the water from the beach to get a closer view.
