Pembrokeshire Marine Code

The Marine Code protects the amazing marine flora and fauna for which Pembrokeshire is renowned, through voluntary codes of conduct and seasonal agreed access restrictions.

It is important that you become familiar with and understand the Marine Code in order to enjoy wildlife responsibly and preserve the safety of Pembrokeshire’s wildlife for everyone’s enjoyment. To reduce the potential for disturbance to wildlife, follow the agreed codes of conduct, and access restrictions maps.

Codes of conduct

Know how to view wildlife responsibly.

Agreed access restrictions

Areas to avoid at certain times.

Signs of Disturbance

The distance at which marine wildlife show signs of agitation varies tremendously, depending on the location, the type of approach, whether the animals are used to being watched and whether they have young with them. Be responsive to their behaviour.

Seals

Rapid swimming to and fro

Sudden panic diving

Re-entry into the water

Lifting its head and looking at you

Stop. Take action:

Seeing any of the above signs of disturbance is a sign for you to stop and take action: Follow the Pembrokeshire Marine Code:

Pembrokeshire Marine Code of Conduct for Seals

Seabirds

Head craning

Head turning

Head bobbing

Wings flapping in situ

Stop. Take action:

Seeing any of the above signs of disturbance is a sign for you to stop and take action: Follow the Pembrokeshire Marine Code:

Pembrokeshire Marine Code of Conduct for Seabirds

Cetaceans

Erratic changes in speed and direction

Lengthy periods underwater

Stop. Take action:

Seeing any of the above signs of disturbance is a sign for you to stop and take action: Follow the Pembrokeshire Marine Code:

Pembrokeshire Marine Code of Conduct for Cetaceans

Wading Birds

Stop feeding to look at you

Start calling

Run away from you

Take flight

Stop. Take action:

Seeing any of the above signs of disturbance is a sign for you to stop and take action: Follow the Pembrokeshire Marine Code:

Pembrokeshire Marine Code of Conduct for Wading Birds

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Plan ahead

Keep an eye out for wildlife: avoid sensitive areas, large concentrations of birds/seals, and seasonal breeding areas. Check the agreed access restrictions maps for specific areas before you go out onto the water.

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Keep your distance

Getting too close can cause stress to wildlife, egg or pup abandonment, exhaustion, or injury.

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Reduce speed and sound

Reducing speed and holding a steady course will reduce disturbance, especially in regard to cetaceans. Loud noises can disrupt seals and seabirds, especially at pupping/moulting and nesting times.

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Know how to view wildlife

By knowing minimum wildlife viewing distances, suggested boat speeds and behaviour that indicates disturbance will reduce our impact on marine wildlife.

Useful numbers

Wildlife disturbance

To report reckless disturbance of marine wildlife or other suspected wildlife crimes, contact:

Police Non-Emergency Contact: 101
Police Marine Unit: 01267 226129
Marine Code Project Officer: 07989 218489

Report animals in distress

To report instances of stranded marine wildlife or animals in distress, contact:

RSCPA: 03001 234999
Bird Rescue: 01834 814397 / 07771 507915
Pembrokeshire County Council: 01437 764551
Maritime & Coastguard Agency: 01646 690909
Welsh Marine Life Rescue co-ordinator, Terry Leadbetter: 01646 692943 / 07970 285086
British Divers Marine Life Rescue: 01825 765546
Cetacean Strandings Investigation Programme (CSIP): 01239 683033 to report a dead stranded porpoise, dolphin or turtle

Key Contacts

For general enquiries related to the Pembrokeshire marine environment, contact:

Skokholm Island Warden: 07971 114303
Skomer Island Warden / Visitor Officer: 07971 114302 / 07530 796150
Skomer MCZ Officer: 01646 636736
Marine Energy Test Area (META) Operations Manager: 07944 839332
Ramsey and Grassholm Island Warden: 07796 611951
South Pembs Natural Resources Wales: 01646 661368
Caldey Island Warden: 01834 844453
Milford Haven Water Ranger: 01646 696100
To report sightings of whales, dolphins & porpoise, contact Sea Watch Foundation: 01407 832892

Wales Coast Explorer – Crwydro Arfordir Cymru App

Wales Coast Explorer App

All the valuable Marine Code information in one place.

Download the app today for free!

Marine Code Tidetables

Have Marine Code and Tidal information all in one place.

Wildlife Fact Sheets

Amazing insight into plants, animals, and geology.

Marine Code Buoys

An innovative new approach to protect marine wildlife.

Why your participation is needed

The Pembrokeshire coastline is renowned worldwide, being voted by National Geographic as one of the leading destinations for sustainable coastal tourism. Our vision is to work with coastal users to promote the protection of wildlife through education and awareness of best practice, highlighting Wales’ lead in sustainable and ecological tourism.

It is important to our social and environmental wellbeing that we actively participate and experience our local environment. To minimise disturbances and cumulative impacts, especially in tourism hotspots, it is essential that we do so in a responsible and sustainable manner.

Please respect the guidelines from wildlife boats and craft hirers, stick to advised routes, respect exclusion zones and above all, spread and reinforce the message to value wildlife.

Did you know?

'Elegug' is the Welsh for 'Guillemot'

Elegug is the Welsh for guillemot, and two colonies of these birds occupy two limestone stacks on the south coast of Pembrokeshire, the largest just 40 metres from the mainland cliff. The birds arrive in early Spring and have raised their chicks by mid-July. The summits of the stacks are crammed with guillemots with razorbills occupying the narrow ledges below. Other species of interest include razorbill, kittiwake, fulmar petrel, chough and peregrine falcon.

Blue whales and a great white have been spotted...

…as well as hundreds of common and bottle nose dolphins. Sightings off Pembrokeshire’s coastline include minke Whale, sei whale, fin whale, dolphin, orca, rissos dolphin and basking shark. A blue whale has been reported, so too has a great white!

Skomer & Skokholm

Skomer and Skokholm, two islands which are world famous wildlife destinations thanks to their colonies of sea birds – puffins, guillemots, razorbills and Manx shearwaters.

Grassholm Gannets

Grassholm, a unique island home to one of the UK’s gannet colonies. Sadly, hit by bird flu in 2022, the gannet population has crashed by over 50%.

Yawning Puffins

A puffin out to cause trouble with the opposition will yawn at the opponent as a warning.

Atlantic grey seals like the cold

The Atlantic grey seal has over 6cm thick blubber and a double fur coat to help cope with the cold. They are also deep divers and have been recorded at depths of 70m, but usually they feed in shallow coastal waters.

Minke whales are loud!

Minke whales make very loud sounds, up to 152 decibels, as loud as a jet taking off! They make a series of grunts, thuds, and raspy sounds, which possibly are used in communication with other minke whales and in echolocation of food.

The fastest bird...

The Peregrine Falcon is the fastest moving bird in the world, reaching speeds of around 180kph(112mph) when diving after its prey.

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