Funding for a charity that works to help protect dolphins, whales and porpoises in Cardigan Bay is “critically endangered”.

The Cardigan Bay Monitoring Project is the “flagship” project of the Sea Watch Foundation (SWF), based in New Quay.

As part of this project, the foundation has been studying since 2000 the only semi-resident population of bottlenose dolphins in Wales, and the largest in the United Kingdom.

Katrin Lohrengel, Head of Surveillance for SWF, said: “Unfortunately, due to a combination of factors such as Brexit and Covid-19, funding for our 20-year surveillance project is in serious jeopardy and we are working hard to try to raise funds. . “

From April 22-29, SWF hosted The Big Give fundraiser and managed to raise £ 5,140 for the project.

But while this is a “good start” for the project, they need more donations to keep the project going for the long term.

Katrin added: ‘Although this is a good start, we still need additional funds to keep the project going in the long term, the total project cost per year is over £ 30,000 (including staff salaries , rental and equipment surveys) and we are currently managing it from our limited charitable reserves, so any contribution is always greatly appreciated!

“We have made a number of fundraising requests to various fundraisers, but with the current situation it’s even more competitive than usual as many charities are looking for the same fundraising pots.

“People can support us by adopting a dolphin, becoming a member or making a direct donation.

“Dolphin adoption can be on a personal level, but there are also options for class schools to adopt a dolphin and we are currently considering options for companies to sponsor a dolphin as well.

“There are also non-monetary ways to support the charity, such as volunteering with us or reporting cetacean sightings using our new Sea Watcher app.

The team also posted videos on the Cardigan Bay dolphins, including a short video about the project and why funding is needed. These videos can be viewed on their YouTube channel.

A spokesperson for SWF said: “Cardigan Bay is home to a variety of unique habitats and marine life such as bottlenose dolphins, and in recognition of this, two Special Areas of Conservation (SAC), the SAC of the Cardigan Bay and the Pen Llyn a ‘r Sarnau SAC, have been designated under the EU Habitats Directive.

“SWF’s work in Cardigan Bay was instrumental in the initial designation and since then we have worked closely with Natural Resources Wales, Ceredigion County Council and other organizations such as the Joint Nature Conservation Committee to continue. to monitor the Cardigan Bay bottlenose dolphin population and ensure their survival. “

The Sea Watch Foundation was founded as a charity and limited liability company in 1991 by Dr Peter Evans and Paul Vodden.

For more information on how to support the project, visit the website at www.seawatchfoundation.org.uk.

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