Posted 30th December:
Hi everybody, hope you all had a good Christmas.
Many thanks to Ian Ingram for making this video recording of a survey we did at Cowlands Creek on 1.10.23.
We netted 13 '0' groups, 3 '1' groups and 4 '2' groups. All the 1 & 2 year olds were checked by scale reading.
Robin.
https://youtu.be/NLLH7ZpXs9U?si=ZF1cAzihRrAMW0q9
Hi everybody, hope you all had a good Christmas.
Many thanks to Ian Ingram for making this video recording of a survey we did at Cowlands Creek on 1.10.23.
We netted 13 '0' groups, 3 '1' groups and 4 '2' groups. All the 1 & 2 year olds were checked by scale reading.
Robin.
https://youtu.be/NLLH7ZpXs9U?si=ZF1cAzihRrAMW0q9
Posted 8th December:
Hello everyone.Some of you will know that D&SIFCA are proposing to reintroduce netting in the Salcombe Estuary https://www.devonandsevernifca.gov.uk/formal-public-consultation-changes-to-the-netting-permit-conditions/
I have submitted the attached response from the group. Robin.
Hello everyone.Some of you will know that D&SIFCA are proposing to reintroduce netting in the Salcombe Estuary https://www.devonandsevernifca.gov.uk/formal-public-consultation-changes-to-the-netting-permit-conditions/
I have submitted the attached response from the group. Robin.
d_sifca_netting_consultation_-_cbig.pdf |
Posted 28th November:
Hi everybody. I've finally finished the annual report for this year's bass surveys. Thanks for all your help. Looking forward to 2024! Robin. The report is also on the Annual Reports page.
Hi everybody. I've finally finished the annual report for this year's bass surveys. Thanks for all your help. Looking forward to 2024! Robin. The report is also on the Annual Reports page.
bass_investigations_2023v2.pdf |
Posted 2nd October:
The survey we had planned to do today at Merthen on the Helford had to be cancelled at the last minute. This presented another opportunity to try Cowlands Creek, near Truro.
A useful survey, with 20 bass found from we think 3 year classes - '0', 1, and 2 groups (tbc by scale reading). Proves this is a reliable site, and interesting that the '0' groups seem to be starting to move out, while they older ones are still there/moving in.
Images by Robin Bradley
The survey we had planned to do today at Merthen on the Helford had to be cancelled at the last minute. This presented another opportunity to try Cowlands Creek, near Truro.
A useful survey, with 20 bass found from we think 3 year classes - '0', 1, and 2 groups (tbc by scale reading). Proves this is a reliable site, and interesting that the '0' groups seem to be starting to move out, while they older ones are still there/moving in.
Images by Robin Bradley
Posted 30th September:
Juvenile bass surveys w/c 2.10.23. Contact Robin if you can help.
Weds (4th): Rail Bridge Pool (Padstow) - meet 1430
or St Clement (Truro) - meet 1300
Thurs (5th): Rail Bridge Pool (Padstow) - meet 1500
or St Clement (Truro) - meet 1330
Fri (6th): Gannel (Newquay) - meet 0945 Sun (8th): Polingey (Percuil) - meet 1230
Posted 19th September:
A very good result at Gorrangorrass yesterday, with 246 '0' groups netted.
A wide range of sizes, and we were surprised to find some very small ones at this time of year. The smaller one in the attached photo will probably have been spawned around mid-May (if not later). Good evidence of the need to extend the closed period to protect spawning bass?
Photos by Robin Bradley
A very good result at Gorrangorrass yesterday, with 246 '0' groups netted.
A wide range of sizes, and we were surprised to find some very small ones at this time of year. The smaller one in the attached photo will probably have been spawned around mid-May (if not later). Good evidence of the need to extend the closed period to protect spawning bass?
Photos by Robin Bradley
Posted 17th September:
Here's the plan for the coming week's bass surveys:
Mon (18th): Gorrangorras (Penryn) - meet 1530. We have cover for this - Me, Brad, Ian + Ryan from Plymouth University, but feel free to join us.
Weds 20th: Rail Bridge Pool (Camel). The forecast is for heavy rain and strong winds so I think it better to cancel this. We may try again early next month.
Thurs 21st: Bonallack (Helford) - meet 1300. Cover so far - Me, George, Gav + Ryan from Plymouth University. Could do with another pair of hands. However forecast looks dodgy, so will confirm Weds am. All the best, Robin
PS Good result at Cowlands yesterday - 42 ' 0' groups. Another new site that doesn't require a boat
Posted 14th September:
A fantastic result at Polwheveral yesterday. Over 950 '0' groups.
We were joined by the Scientists from Plymouth University who deployed their underwater 'JHam-Cam' to observe the fish in the area while we were netting, and to take some samples back to the lab for research. Robin
Photos below: Top two by Dr. Ben Ciotti - Bottom two by Bradley Wiffen
A fantastic result at Polwheveral yesterday. Over 950 '0' groups.
We were joined by the Scientists from Plymouth University who deployed their underwater 'JHam-Cam' to observe the fish in the area while we were netting, and to take some samples back to the lab for research. Robin
Photos below: Top two by Dr. Ben Ciotti - Bottom two by Bradley Wiffen
Posted 13th September:
We need another helper at Bonallack next week on Weds 20th (meet 1230) or Thurs 21st (meet 1300). We really need four for this one, so if you can help that would make the survey doable. Robin
We need another helper at Bonallack next week on Weds 20th (meet 1230) or Thurs 21st (meet 1300). We really need four for this one, so if you can help that would make the survey doable. Robin
Posted 10th September:
Ryan from Plymouth University will be joining us for some surveys as part of their camera project, so I'd like to cover the main sites we're currently able to do if poss.
Please let me know if you can help with any of the options on the attached list. The Camel one will depend on whether we can cover the Fal and Helford ones, as Ryan is concentrating on these. All the best, Robin
survey_options_wc_13-21.9.23.docx |
Posted 8th September:
A great result on the Gannel today. At last it looks like we may have a site on the North Coast that works for us. Many thanks to Rob Hillman for his help and local knowledge of tides etc, which proved indispensable.
The tide time and height, method and location all worked well. We netted 16 '0' groups. The significance of this will only become clear with more experience of the site, but an encouraging start. In time this may allow us to compare spawning success own both sides of the peninsula. All the best Robin
Photos below by Robin Bradley
Posted 7th September:
A good result at Gorrangorras on Monday with 75 '0' groups netted (1st photo) among lots of mullet.
Only 2 '0' groups found at St Clement yesterday (2nd - 4th photos). This is our first year of surveys here, so we're still learning about it. I'm wondering if the '0' grouped have moved up the estuary? A good mix of other species though, including what we think is a pouting, and about 25 of what we think are scad.
Is anybody free for Polingey on Sat (meet 1600) or Sun (meet 1730)? This is a quick one - just involves puling the short net through a small pool once. Polingey is on the Percuil, near Portscatho.
All the best, Robin
First 3 photos by Robin and the last by Rob Taylor
Posted 3rd September:
Below is a list of surveys for this week. Apologies for short notice.
Please let me know if you are available for any of these. Robin
Bass survey options w/c 4.9.23
Mon 4th Gorrangorras meet 1645
Tue 5th Gorrangorras meet 1730
Weds 6th St Clement meet 1400
Fri 8th Gannel meet 1445
Sat 9th Polingey meet 1600
Sun 10th Polingey meet 1730
Posted 3rd September: Final Response to Bass Fisheries Management Plan consultation - Cornwall Bass Investigations Group
cbig_fmp_response__1_.docx |
Posted 26th August:
Next week's surveys
As well as trying Trewornan Dam on the Camel on Monday as previously notified, I'd like to do a trial on the Gannel on Weds. Meet at the car park on Gannel Road at 2.00pm w3w dome.ambitions.crush. Any takers? Robin
Next week's surveys
As well as trying Trewornan Dam on the Camel on Monday as previously notified, I'd like to do a trial on the Gannel on Weds. Meet at the car park on Gannel Road at 2.00pm w3w dome.ambitions.crush. Any takers? Robin
Posted 23rd August: We netted 38 '0' groups at Gorrangorras yesterday. Difficult to assess the significance of this, since we don't have many previous results for comparison, but seems quite a respectable result.
We did find one gilt head bream with some sort of mouth deformity.
(images below by Jason Collins and Robin Bradley)
Posted 22nd August: We haven't been able to survey Bonallack on the Helford since 2014, so it was was great to be able to net it yesterday. Many thanks to George, Ben and Dave, for making this possible, and to Kevin for transporting the gear down to the creek in his jeep.
We netted 38 '0' groups yesterday, which is a very respectable result for this site. We also had a couple of gilt heads, pipefish and a number of small mullet and translucent fish which we're trying to identify (Photos below by Ben Harris).
We netted 38 '0' groups yesterday, which is a very respectable result for this site. We also had a couple of gilt heads, pipefish and a number of small mullet and translucent fish which we're trying to identify (Photos below by Ben Harris).
Posted 19th August:
Surveys for next week are:
Mon: Bonallack (Helford) - meet 1230. Bonallack covered now-thank you.
Tues: Gorrangorras (Penryn) - meet 1700.
Weds: St Clement (Fal/Tresillian) - meet 1345.
Let me know if you can help and I will supply details of meeting places. I can give one person a lift from the Truro/Falmouth/Helford area if needed. We particularly need another helper on Monday, but you would be very welcome on Tues and Weds as well.
Robin
Surveys for next week are:
Mon: Bonallack (Helford) - meet 1230. Bonallack covered now-thank you.
Tues: Gorrangorras (Penryn) - meet 1700.
Weds: St Clement (Fal/Tresillian) - meet 1345.
Let me know if you can help and I will supply details of meeting places. I can give one person a lift from the Truro/Falmouth/Helford area if needed. We particularly need another helper on Monday, but you would be very welcome on Tues and Weds as well.
Robin
Posted 18th August: Another good result yesterday. We netted 69 '0' groups at Penpol. This is easily the best result we've had since we started doing this site in 2021.
Posted 17th August: It was great to have Rachel Turnbull from Plymouth University joining us on yesterday's survey at Polwheveral, as part of her PhD research on bass - and the bass certainly turned out in force for her. We netted 370 '0' groups along with about 50 gilthead bream and lots of mullet and sand smelt. A good result in nice conditions.
Photos below by Robin Bradley
Photos below by Robin Bradley
Posted 16th August:
Just to let you know that yesterday's survey at Trewornan went well, but results were disappointing, with just two tiny (3cm - which is small for this time of year) bass. We only got a few mullet and gobies plus a load of shore crabs.
We're still trying to crack this one. The configuration of the head of the creek at the N end of the dam makes it difficult to haul the net without losing fish, which I think is what might have happened here. We'll try a tide of around 4.5m next time, to allow the fish to come in, but cover most of the flooding channel with the net.
We had an enjoyable time though, and thanks to James Menhennick for letting us drive across the field while he was combine harvesting. A nice pensioner's day out, as Eddie put it!
Just to let you know that yesterday's survey at Trewornan went well, but results were disappointing, with just two tiny (3cm - which is small for this time of year) bass. We only got a few mullet and gobies plus a load of shore crabs.
We're still trying to crack this one. The configuration of the head of the creek at the N end of the dam makes it difficult to haul the net without losing fish, which I think is what might have happened here. We'll try a tide of around 4.5m next time, to allow the fish to come in, but cover most of the flooding channel with the net.
We had an enjoyable time though, and thanks to James Menhennick for letting us drive across the field while he was combine harvesting. A nice pensioner's day out, as Eddie put it!
Posted 12th August:
The tides are good for surveys for the next week or so, and it looks like the weather in improving from Tuesday (15th), so it would be good to make the most of these opportunities. Obviously the exact dates we choose for each survey will depend on availability of volunteers.
On Tuesday I'm hoping to do Trewornan Dam on the Camel - meet at 1530. So far Eddie Gummow and David Kelley (hopefully) are available.
Weds: 16th Polwheveral (meet 1630) or Penpol (meet 1545)
Thurs 17th: Polwheveral (meet 1645) or Penpol (meet 1615)
Fri 18th: Polwheveral (meet 1730) or Penpol (meet 1700)
Sat 19th: Polwheveral (meet 1800) or Penpol (meet 1730), Gorrangorras (meet 1545)
Sun 20th: Polwheveral (meet 1830), Penpol (meet 1745), Gorrangorras (meet 1600)
Mon 21st: Gorrangorras (meet 1630), Bonallack (meet 1230)
Tues 22nd: Gorrangorras (meet 1700), Bonallack (meet 1300)
Weds 23rd: St Clement (meet 1345)
Could you let Robin know if you can help on any of these.
The tides are good for surveys for the next week or so, and it looks like the weather in improving from Tuesday (15th), so it would be good to make the most of these opportunities. Obviously the exact dates we choose for each survey will depend on availability of volunteers.
On Tuesday I'm hoping to do Trewornan Dam on the Camel - meet at 1530. So far Eddie Gummow and David Kelley (hopefully) are available.
Weds: 16th Polwheveral (meet 1630) or Penpol (meet 1545)
Thurs 17th: Polwheveral (meet 1645) or Penpol (meet 1615)
Fri 18th: Polwheveral (meet 1730) or Penpol (meet 1700)
Sat 19th: Polwheveral (meet 1800) or Penpol (meet 1730), Gorrangorras (meet 1545)
Sun 20th: Polwheveral (meet 1830), Penpol (meet 1745), Gorrangorras (meet 1600)
Mon 21st: Gorrangorras (meet 1630), Bonallack (meet 1230)
Tues 22nd: Gorrangorras (meet 1700), Bonallack (meet 1300)
Weds 23rd: St Clement (meet 1345)
Could you let Robin know if you can help on any of these.
Posted August 10th:Hi everyone. Just to let you know that we had a successful first survey at St Clement on the Fal near Truro yesterday, following a trial in June.
We managed to get 48 '0' groups and a good mix of other species, including ~5,000 sprats, herring, pipefish and a transparent fish which we think is probably very young sprat or herring. Relatively few mullet, which seems to be the case when juvenile bass are about. Nice to see Rob Hillman's son Isaac on his first survey. A great result in terms of survey sites, as this gives us another reliable site on the Fal which doesn't need a boat to access. In terms of bass - a good, but not exceptional result. It will be interesting to see what we get here if/when the weather settles down. Robin
Posted August 5th: Hi everybody-Only two '0' groups at Penpol yesterday - I suspect this was due to poor conditions. One was 6.1cm and the other was 8.7. Probably two different cohorts. The ones we saw in mid-June were ~3.5cm, so they seem to have grown well.
I've cancelled Gorrangorras tomorrow due to a lack of helpers (weather not great anyway), but it would be great if we could have a couple of volunteers for Tues afternoon at Bonallack (Helford) - meet 1515, and one for Weds afternoon at St Clement (Fal) - meet 1545. All the best, Robin
I've cancelled Gorrangorras tomorrow due to a lack of helpers (weather not great anyway), but it would be great if we could have a couple of volunteers for Tues afternoon at Bonallack (Helford) - meet 1515, and one for Weds afternoon at St Clement (Fal) - meet 1545. All the best, Robin
Posted August 2nd: Message from Robin BradleyWe've decided to cancel tomorrow's survey at Polwheveral due to the cool NNW winds forecast, which may keep the 0 groups away. These shouldn't be as much of an issue at Penpol on Friday, so we're going ahead with that one - we should have enough helpers for this.
Looking ahead, I'd like to try to do Gorrangorras on Sun (meet 1730), Bonallack on Tues (meet 1515), and St Clement on Weds (meet 1545), weather and volunteers permitting. As always, can you let me know if you can help.
Looking ahead, I'd like to try to do Gorrangorras on Sun (meet 1730), Bonallack on Tues (meet 1515), and St Clement on Weds (meet 1545), weather and volunteers permitting. As always, can you let me know if you can help.
Posted August 2nd: The frequency of marine heatwaves has approximately doubled since the 1980s and there is considerable evidence that this increase is being driven by human activities-read the report below
https://plymouth.ac.uk/discover/what-is-a-marine-heatwave
https://plymouth.ac.uk/discover/what-is-a-marine-heatwave
Posted July 31st: Weather permitting, we're hoping to net Polwheveral on Thurs (meet 5.30) and Penpol on Fri (meet at 5.30). I think we should be OK for helpers on Friday, but you're welcome to come along if you'd like.
Posted 25th July: The juvenile bass surveys will resume next week.
We're looking at Polwheveral/Penpol/Gorrangorras from Tues 1st to Sat 5th, and possibly Gorrangorras on Sun 6th, and Bonallack on Tues 8th. Would also be good to try the new site at St Clement on Weds 9th. All afternoon/evening tides.
It would be good to get several of these done if the weather plays ball, so could you let me know if any of these dates/venues are convenient for you.
Robin Bradley
We're looking at Polwheveral/Penpol/Gorrangorras from Tues 1st to Sat 5th, and possibly Gorrangorras on Sun 6th, and Bonallack on Tues 8th. Would also be good to try the new site at St Clement on Weds 9th. All afternoon/evening tides.
It would be good to get several of these done if the weather plays ball, so could you let me know if any of these dates/venues are convenient for you.
Robin Bradley
Posted 22nd July 2023:
"We're pleased to be supporting Plymouth University and BASS on this Fisheries Industry Science Partnership project https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/news/underwater-camera-network-to-monitor-the-habitat-needs-of-juvenile-fish
A member of the University team will be joining us this summer and autumn to deploy underwater cameras at the same time as we undertake our netting surveys."
"We're pleased to be supporting Plymouth University and BASS on this Fisheries Industry Science Partnership project https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/news/underwater-camera-network-to-monitor-the-habitat-needs-of-juvenile-fish
A member of the University team will be joining us this summer and autumn to deploy underwater cameras at the same time as we undertake our netting surveys."
2023 Juvenile bass survey programme – interim report.
The Cornwall Bass Investigations Group run a programme of juvenile bass surveys using seine nets focussing on the Fal and Helford estuaries on the south coast of Cornwall. This work is carried out by a team of citizen scientists working in a voluntary capacity.
Catches of ‘0’ groups in 2022 were low, and our initial conclusion was that the 2022 year class was a poor one. The 2023 programme has reached the end of its first phase, having completed 7 surveys at established sites. Catches of ‘1’ groups this year have been consistently low/absent in surveys, so we feel confident in confirming this assessment of the 2022 year class in our survey area.
We will recommence sampling work in August, by when the incoming ‘ 0’ groups from this year’s spawning should have reached a size where they can better withstand the rigours of netting.
We trust this information may be of assistance with regard to bass stock assessments and management plans.
Robin Bradley 20.6.23
Sent to Freya Mitchison (Defra), David Murray (Cefas/ICES) and Kieran Hyder (Cefas).
The Cornwall Bass Investigations Group run a programme of juvenile bass surveys using seine nets focussing on the Fal and Helford estuaries on the south coast of Cornwall. This work is carried out by a team of citizen scientists working in a voluntary capacity.
Catches of ‘0’ groups in 2022 were low, and our initial conclusion was that the 2022 year class was a poor one. The 2023 programme has reached the end of its first phase, having completed 7 surveys at established sites. Catches of ‘1’ groups this year have been consistently low/absent in surveys, so we feel confident in confirming this assessment of the 2022 year class in our survey area.
We will recommence sampling work in August, by when the incoming ‘ 0’ groups from this year’s spawning should have reached a size where they can better withstand the rigours of netting.
We trust this information may be of assistance with regard to bass stock assessments and management plans.
Robin Bradley 20.6.23
Sent to Freya Mitchison (Defra), David Murray (Cefas/ICES) and Kieran Hyder (Cefas).