More money is needed to protect dolphins off the west Wales coast, according to an environmental watchdog.

The Countryside Council of Wales said it was still being denied the necessary funding to protect Bottlenose dolphins in Cardigan Bay.

The area, which is home to about 130 Bottlenose dolphins, is one of only two permanent colonies of the mammals around Britain.

The national and international importance of the colony has led to the area being selected as a candidate for Special Area of Conservation status under the EC Habitats Directive.

The UK's other colony is the Moray Firth in Scotland.

The CCW has a legal obligation to carry out a more detailed monitoring of the dolphins but has said it needs more money to do so.

It has warned other projects may suffer as a result.

But the National Assembly has said that as far as it is concerned, the CCW does have sufficient funds.

Meetings

In the meantime public meetings are being held to discuss a draft management plan for the dolphins.

It proposes to examine the area they live in, and their interaction with humans.

The plan will give details of how the survival of the Bottlenose dolphins will be ensured well into the next millennium.

According to the CCW sightings of the Bottlenose have decreased over the years from 371 in 1990 to 170 in 1997.

The number now is thought to be about 130.