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‘Hidden larder’ for sharks and whales in local waters

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PH270516_Page_22_Image_0001A HIGH-TECH mission to uncover the secrets of our seas has revealed a ‘hotspot’ for marine wildlife off the southern coast of Wales.

The mission saw an unmanned underwater ‘glider’ travel to an area around 50 miles to the south west of Wales called the Celtic Deep, which is a haven for wildlife but also an extremely busy shipping route and fishing ground.

The glider travelled 600km in 30 days, undertaking nearly 3000 dives from the sea surface to the seabed at a depth of 100m.

Data from the robot shows a previously hidden plankton concentration around 30 metres below the surface. This marine ‘larder’ is likely to be a foraging area for a range of creatures including whales, dolphins, sharks and other fish. The glider also obtained images of fish shoals at a depth of more than 60m depth, using a device called a downward-looking echosounder.

This information is part of a bigger project to improve understanding of our seas, being run in partnership by WWF and the National Oceanography Centre.

Despite being home to a rich array of wildlife, the Celtic Deep is under pressure from climate change, pollution, and the marine industries that use our seas. And because our seas are important, not just in terms of supporting wildlife, but also in terms of improving people’s health and well-being, providing food, and growing the economy, WWF Cymru wants the new Welsh Government to complete a network of Marine Protected Areas around Wales. Data like this could help us do that.

WWF-UK Head of Marine Policy, Dr Lyndsey Dodds, told The Herald: “This incredible technology is giving us a completely new level of understanding of our seas. The latest evidence pinpoints important food areas for creatures such as porpoises – something that would be invisible to satellites. Data like this is really important because it gives us a clearer picture of life beneath the surface. That is vital for Welsh and UK governments to help them improve the way they manage our waters and help both people and nature.”

National Oceanography Centre Chief Scientist of Marine Autonomous and Robotic Systems, Professor Russell Wynn, said: “The continued support of WWF is allowing us to continue with our pioneering series of demonstration missions, showcasing how the latest technology can assist with costeffective mapping and monitoring of our marine environment. We have already successfully demonstrated the ability to capture valuable data from beneath the surface, and now we hope to capture images and sounds of marine life at the sea surface.”

This weekend sees the start of the next phase of the project, with researchers launching another robot from Newlyn in Cornwall.

The innovative surface vehicle named ‘Thomas’ will gather data and images from another ‘hotspot’ off the Isles of Scilly, and will again be paired up with a submarine glider. It’s the second attempt to launch Thomas after he ran into technical problems in Milford Haven last summer.

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Community

Tractor run lights up Pembrokeshire and raises funds for charity

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THE PEMBROKESHIRE ILLUMINATED TRACTOR RUN took place today (Dec 21), raising funds for two vital charities: the Catrin Vaughan Foundation and Wales Air Ambulance.

Starting at Clarbeston Road AFC at 6:00pm, the brightly lit convoy of nearly 200 tractors made its way through Withybush Hospital and Haverfordwest High Street before finishing at the Pembrokeshire County Showground.

The annual event has become a highlight of the festive calendar, drawing large crowds to witness the spectacle of tractors adorned with colourful lights and decorations.

Funds raised from the event will support the Catrin Vaughan Foundation, which provides crucial assistance to families facing hardship, and the Wales Air Ambulance, delivering life-saving emergency medical care across the region.

Organisers praised the dedication of local farmers and volunteers, whose commitment ensures the event’s continued success year after year.

(Image: Nia Marshall/Facebook)

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Ferry Terminal ‘extremely busy’ due to ongoing Holyhead closure

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PEMBROKE DOCK Ferry Terminal has been experiencing significant congestion today as ferry services remain under immense pressure following the closure of Holyhead Port earlier this month.

The disruption, caused by storm damage, has rerouted ferry traffic through Pembrokeshire, leading to long queues and crowded facilities at the terminal.

The Herald can confirm that it has been very busy today with cars, lorries, and foot passengers queuing in large numbers. Staff are working tirelessly to manage the influx, directing vehicles and assisting passengers as they prepare to board the heavily booked ferries.

A spokesperson for the Port of Milford Haven said: “We are working closely with ferry operators and local authorities to ensure traffic flows as smoothly as possible, but the sheer volume of vehicles is causing unavoidable delays.”

Travelers are being urged to arrive early for their sailings and to remain patient as the terminal operates at full capacity.

Both Stena Line and Irish Ferries have increased capacity on their Pembrokeshire routes, deploying larger vessels, including the Stena Adventurer and the MV James Joyce, to handle the surge in demand.

From our position at the terminal, our photographer has captured photos showing long lines of vehicles, groups of foot passengers carrying luggage, and port staff coordinating efforts to ease congestion.

Authorities are advising non-essential travelers to consider rescheduling their journeys where possible and to monitor updates from ferry operators closely.

(Photos: Martin Cavaney/Herald)

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Community

Festive celebrations at St Davids Cathedral this weekend

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ST DAVIDS Cathedral is set to host two special events on Sunday (Dec 22), offering a blend of joyful participation and traditional carol singing to mark the Christmas season.

In the morning, families are invited to the Scratch Nativity at 11:00am. Attendees are encouraged to come dressed as wise men, angels, sheep, or shepherds and take part in an unrehearsed retelling of the Christmas story. Canon Leigh described the event as: “Complete, wonderful chaos for an hour… but with some poignant, thought-provoking moments to centre ourselves on the real meaning of Christmas.”

Later in the evening, the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols by Candlelight will take place at 7:00pm, featuring the Cathedral Choir. The event, steeped in tradition, will see the cathedral bathed in candlelight as carols and scripture readings fill the historic space.

Doors will open at 5:45pm for those seeking unreserved seating, and a large turnout is expected for this beloved Christmas celebration.

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