Aberaeron harbour can cater for up to 90 boats at the moment

A total of four options in Aberaeron, estimated at costing between �3m and �15m, will be considered.

At the moment, Cardigan Bay does not have a safe haven harbour, which means that boats or yachts wanting to moor in the area are totally dependent on the tide.

The plans involve building an outer harbour to resolve the problem.

A local committee has been set up to debate the proposals, with a report published outlining the plans.

It was jointly financed by Ceredigion County Council and the Welsh Tourist Board, which both back the proposal.

There isn't a safe haven harbour in the bay between Pwllheli and Fishguard Glyn Heulyn, Aberaeron harbour committee

Glyn Heulyn, committee member and owner of the town's Harbourmaster Hotel, said the Welsh Tourist Board had told them how much yachting and pleasure boating had benefited Ireland and Brittany.

"There isn't a safe haven harbour in the bay between Pwllheli and Fishguard. At the moment people sail to Ireland and go up and down its coast and then sail across to Scotland missing out Wales."

Mr Heulyn added: "The outer harbour will probably double the number of boats Aberaeron can currently deal with - at the moment it's 90."

There is a worry that local tourism is missing out

Ceredigion County Council said the Welsh Tourist Board and the Welsh Assembly were "exploring the potential for development of marinas and harbours around the Welsh coast."

A spokeswoman said: "Yachting facilities are well developed in north and south Wales particularly the Pembrokeshire coast and Pwllheli, but within Cardigan Bay there is no safe haven for all tide and all weather conditions.

"This makes the bay a potentially dangerous area to cross or visit under sail."

She added that the plans would help complete a 'necklace of marinas' around the Welsh coast.