"Friends of Cardigan Bay (FoCB) is a voluntary group based in Aberystwyth supported by local people and local knowledge.
It was first established in 1989 on a suggestion by Greenpeace who had noticed the presence of bottlenose dolphin in the area and an abundance of marine wildlife.
A small group of passionate individuals then got together headed by the late Munro Taylor to assess, survey, promote and protect the many riches of Cardigan Bay.
The first detailed dolphin and bird surveys were carried out by FoCB in Cardigan Bay and have continued ever since. It was this early research along with others that paved the way for the Special Areas of Conservation that we have today.
Our more recent research work has looked at a sea area around Sarn Cynfelin for dolphin activity and also carried out extensive scientific diving surveys at several locations on the reef.
We regularly liaise with local authorities, statutory bodies and other groups in the hope that this will continue to make a difference to the future of Cardigan Bay for generations to come.
We hold a government licence to carry out photographic identification work around dolphins and I am myself a 'wildlife accredited' skipper with over 25 years experience as well as a background in Marine biology.
Currently we are working in collaboration with Aberystwyth University on a project FoCB have been looking at for the last 4 years. It is a Masters Research project looking at Aberystwyth harbour mouth as an area of importance for the bottlenose dolphin.
Nearly twenty years on and FoCB is still going strong, with a large national membership. Our work today is as exciting and challenging as ever. The group has its own boat used for research and training, Evening Star.
We are currently fundraising in a bid to replace Evening Star for a more modern and suitable vessel for our 20th anniversary next year.
In the group we have several key people expert at what they do, including Lorraine Hill, our current membership secretary, who has been with the group since the very start in 1989.
Membership is open to everyone whether you just want to support our work or get more actively involved is really up to you, but your support for the organisation that is committed for caring for the Bay, it's inhabitants and the marine environment is most welcomed.
For more information please take a look at our website listed to the right og this page."
Article by Phil Hughes
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