United Kingdom

WDCS In Wales

WDCS has been involved in the conservation and study of Welsh dolphins for many years. We helped to establish the first‘Dolphin Group’ in the country bringing together the region’s researchers and co-chaired it for some years before this function was taken over by the national conservation agency CCW. Most recently our research interests have focused on Risso’s dolphins in the northern part of Cardigan Bay and we have conducted both shore and sea-based studies largely focused around Bardsey Island.

Cardigan Bay has been awarded various conservation designations and this includes two SACs (Special Areas of Conservation) which are meant to be managed to help conserve the local bottlenose dolphin populations and other features. We have helped to provide information for the management of these areas and also lobbied hard to try and make them effective. Particular threats in recent years have included the potential for development in the region by the oil and gas industry and, very recently, the arrival of a large number of scallop-dredgers.

Recently WDCS has drafted a conservation plan for Risso’s dolphins in the region and this can be found here.

Read our report on the findings of our research around Bardsey Island.

You can find out more about what WDCS believes needs to be done to protect whales and dolphin in Wales and the UK in our report The Conservation of British Cetaceans.