Derek Goodwin MBE (sitting on right) who began the netting surveys back in 1994-photo by Craig Baldwin
Posted 13th December- From Robin Bradley
Derek Goodwin
It is with much sadness that I write to advise that Derek Goodwin passed away yesterday.
Derek was a good friend, mentor and inspiration to many. He leaves a great legacy through the work on juvenile bass studies he started in 1994 on the Helford. He will be much missed by all.
I will send a card on behalf of the group. If anybody would like to send their own, I can let them have his daughter's address.
Derek's funeral will be held at 12 noon on Friday January 3rd, at Penmount Crematorium.
Donations may be made to a charity of your choice. Derek was a keen supporter of the RNLI,
the Cornwall Wildlife Trust and the Helford Marine Conservation Group.
Derek Goodwin
It is with much sadness that I write to advise that Derek Goodwin passed away yesterday.
Derek was a good friend, mentor and inspiration to many. He leaves a great legacy through the work on juvenile bass studies he started in 1994 on the Helford. He will be much missed by all.
I will send a card on behalf of the group. If anybody would like to send their own, I can let them have his daughter's address.
Derek's funeral will be held at 12 noon on Friday January 3rd, at Penmount Crematorium.
Donations may be made to a charity of your choice. Derek was a keen supporter of the RNLI,
the Cornwall Wildlife Trust and the Helford Marine Conservation Group.
Posted 10th December
Paul Coulson, from the Institute of Fisheries Management, has asked if he can use the attached photo from our annual report in a new handbook they are writing for Natural England.
He thinks that this is a really useful netting technique that could be used by other survey teams around the Country.
I have of course agreed! Robin.
Paul Coulson, from the Institute of Fisheries Management, has asked if he can use the attached photo from our annual report in a new handbook they are writing for Natural England.
He thinks that this is a really useful netting technique that could be used by other survey teams around the Country.
I have of course agreed! Robin.
Dinghy- Outboard - Launching Trailer. (Belongs to CBIG)
£800 for dinghy, engine and launching trailer. The engine checked over by Robin Curnow (see attached invoice). Contact: [email protected]
£800 for dinghy, engine and launching trailer. The engine checked over by Robin Curnow (see attached invoice). Contact: [email protected]
Posted 19th September
A quick roundup of the recent surveys:
On Sunday Lamorran produced a bumper catch of 1,564 '0' groups, only slightly lower than the all-time max for this site (1,666) which was in 2014 - perhaps the best year in recent times.
On Monday Polwheveral produced 85 '0' groups - perhaps a little lower than expected, but good to know that the recent poor result there wasn't definitive.
An odd result at Gorrangorras on Tuesday, with no bass at all found.
Merthen produced 28 '0' groups on Wednesday.
That concludes this year's surveys. I'll do a full report in due course, but safe to say that our results suggest that the 2024 class is a good one - at least in our survey area. Many, many thanks to all who have helped with the surveys - without you this work would not be possible. It's been a successful, and importantly, enjoyable few months, and the group and our work continues to go from strength to strength, and is being increasingly recognised in government and academic circles. Hope to catch up with some of you at our February get-together, or maybe sooner out fishing.
A quick roundup of the recent surveys:
On Sunday Lamorran produced a bumper catch of 1,564 '0' groups, only slightly lower than the all-time max for this site (1,666) which was in 2014 - perhaps the best year in recent times.
On Monday Polwheveral produced 85 '0' groups - perhaps a little lower than expected, but good to know that the recent poor result there wasn't definitive.
An odd result at Gorrangorras on Tuesday, with no bass at all found.
Merthen produced 28 '0' groups on Wednesday.
That concludes this year's surveys. I'll do a full report in due course, but safe to say that our results suggest that the 2024 class is a good one - at least in our survey area. Many, many thanks to all who have helped with the surveys - without you this work would not be possible. It's been a successful, and importantly, enjoyable few months, and the group and our work continues to go from strength to strength, and is being increasingly recognised in government and academic circles. Hope to catch up with some of you at our February get-together, or maybe sooner out fishing.
Posted 14/9/24
No bass at the Gannel slipway yesterday.
Please see attached list of surveys and volunteers for the next few days. If anybody else would like to help at Polwheveral, and especially Gorrangorras, they be welcome.
That's about it for this year. I may do a couple when back from sunny Hartlepool. Robin
No bass at the Gannel slipway yesterday.
Please see attached list of surveys and volunteers for the next few days. If anybody else would like to help at Polwheveral, and especially Gorrangorras, they be welcome.
That's about it for this year. I may do a couple when back from sunny Hartlepool. Robin
| juvenile_bass_surveys_15th_-_18th_sept_2024.docx |
Posted 12th September
Please let me know if you can help with any of the bass surveys listed on the attached.
On the home stretch now. All the best, Robin
Please let me know if you can help with any of the bass surveys listed on the attached.
On the home stretch now. All the best, Robin
| juvenile_bass_surveys_16th_-_18th_sept_2024options.docx |
Posted 8th September
Excellent result at Cowlands on Friday, with over 700 '0' groups - despite the scummy water in the creek (gone the next morning).
It was nice to be able to get up to Ruan in Rob Foote's boat on Saturday. Well worth it too, with 564 '0' group and 30 '1' group bass. This site usually gives quite modest results, so this catch is exceptional. Just short of the all-time high for this site (584) in 2014, which was probably the best year in recent times, and now producing the mid-50s you're catching this year. A nice flounder too, and a dragonet (aka 'Miller's finger' according to one of our group. Robin
Excellent result at Cowlands on Friday, with over 700 '0' groups - despite the scummy water in the creek (gone the next morning).
It was nice to be able to get up to Ruan in Rob Foote's boat on Saturday. Well worth it too, with 564 '0' group and 30 '1' group bass. This site usually gives quite modest results, so this catch is exceptional. Just short of the all-time high for this site (584) in 2014, which was probably the best year in recent times, and now producing the mid-50s you're catching this year. A nice flounder too, and a dragonet (aka 'Miller's finger' according to one of our group. Robin
Posted 5th September
The surveys at Polwheveral on Tues, and Penpol yesterday have given odd results, with only 7 and 10 '0' groups respectively. We had been expecting high numbers, especially at Polwheveral, so these are interesting results, not least because in both cases there were two length cohorts, suggesting staggered spawning. The photo attached clearly shows the range of '0' group sizes we found at Polwheveral. This also puts the low numbers we found on the second Fyke survey at Tresemple into context.
Today's (Thurs) survey at Gorrangorras has been cancelled due to the forecast heavy rain. We are hoping things will have improved enough by tomorrow afternoon to do the survey at Cowlands. Robin.
The surveys at Polwheveral on Tues, and Penpol yesterday have given odd results, with only 7 and 10 '0' groups respectively. We had been expecting high numbers, especially at Polwheveral, so these are interesting results, not least because in both cases there were two length cohorts, suggesting staggered spawning. The photo attached clearly shows the range of '0' group sizes we found at Polwheveral. This also puts the low numbers we found on the second Fyke survey at Tresemple into context.
Today's (Thurs) survey at Gorrangorras has been cancelled due to the forecast heavy rain. We are hoping things will have improved enough by tomorrow afternoon to do the survey at Cowlands. Robin.
Posted 1st September
The scientists at Essex University want to get some juvenile bass from beaches on the open coast in Cornwall as part of their research. They're hoping to come down early next October.
A couple of things:
Does anybody know of any beaches where juvenile bass have been seen?
Would anybody like to help with the sampling if it goes ahead?
Robin.
The scientists at Essex University want to get some juvenile bass from beaches on the open coast in Cornwall as part of their research. They're hoping to come down early next October.
A couple of things:
Does anybody know of any beaches where juvenile bass have been seen?
Would anybody like to help with the sampling if it goes ahead?
Robin.
Posted 31st August
Please see attached confirmed list of surveys for next week
Please see attached confirmed list of surveys for next week
| juvenile_bass_surveys_1st_-_10th_sept_2024confirmed.docx |
Posted 28th August
Could you let me know if you can help with any of the surveys listed on the attached. Robin
Could you let me know if you can help with any of the surveys listed on the attached. Robin
| juvenile_bass_surveys_1st_-_10th_sept_2024options.docx |
Posted 26th August
I found this interesting article about intertidal oak forests in the 'Marine Biologist'. I've emailed Dr Hendy to offer our assistance.
Robin
I found this interesting article about intertidal oak forests in the 'Marine Biologist'. I've emailed Dr Hendy to offer our assistance.
Robin
Posted 26th August
The recent surveys at Penpol and Merthen were both productive. Penpol produced 99 x '0' groups (the most we've had here to date) and 2 x '1' groups in poor conditions. We were under the watchful gaze of two Cornwall IFCA enforcement officers, who seemed very happy, and interested, with what we were doing.
Merthen produced 150 x '0' groups on a breezy day. This stretch of the Helford always seems to produce some interesting results, and this survey produced a couple of large (~250mm) greater pipefish. Both the attached photos are from this survey.
Robin
The recent surveys at Penpol and Merthen were both productive. Penpol produced 99 x '0' groups (the most we've had here to date) and 2 x '1' groups in poor conditions. We were under the watchful gaze of two Cornwall IFCA enforcement officers, who seemed very happy, and interested, with what we were doing.
Merthen produced 150 x '0' groups on a breezy day. This stretch of the Helford always seems to produce some interesting results, and this survey produced a couple of large (~250mm) greater pipefish. Both the attached photos are from this survey.
Robin
Posted 20th August
I sent a photo of our stub-nosed bass to several scientists, along with a photo and text from Pickett & Pawson, wondering if this could be a bass-bream hybrid, if that's possible. They were very interested. This comment from Jim Ellis (Cefas) summed things up:
"Whilst I’ve not seen stub-nosed bass, you do get similar abnormalities in a range of species, such as haddock and other gadoids. I very much doubt it is a hybrid – reports of hybridization in marine fish are generally restricted to species in the same genus (shad, possibly sand gobies) or family (some flatfish) – I haven’t heard of any natural fish hybrids between species from different families (but haven’t looked into any literature on this).
Anyway, I’d go with it being a bass, though it may be worth noting the presence (and proportion) of aberrant specimens."
So not Dicentrarchus polwheveral then ;-), but let's keep our eyes peeled for any others.
Robin
I sent a photo of our stub-nosed bass to several scientists, along with a photo and text from Pickett & Pawson, wondering if this could be a bass-bream hybrid, if that's possible. They were very interested. This comment from Jim Ellis (Cefas) summed things up:
"Whilst I’ve not seen stub-nosed bass, you do get similar abnormalities in a range of species, such as haddock and other gadoids. I very much doubt it is a hybrid – reports of hybridization in marine fish are generally restricted to species in the same genus (shad, possibly sand gobies) or family (some flatfish) – I haven’t heard of any natural fish hybrids between species from different families (but haven’t looked into any literature on this).
Anyway, I’d go with it being a bass, though it may be worth noting the presence (and proportion) of aberrant specimens."
So not Dicentrarchus polwheveral then ;-), but let's keep our eyes peeled for any others.
Robin
Posted 19th August
Many thanks to Rob Foote for taking us up to Lamorran yesterday; no mean feat in itself.
An interesting result - not a single '0' group, but 120 '1' groups. The only time we had that many 1's in August, we also had not many 0's, so I suspect this means the 0's have made it up that far yet. We'll survey it again next month; hopefully they will have by then. All the best, Robin
Many thanks to Rob Foote for taking us up to Lamorran yesterday; no mean feat in itself.
An interesting result - not a single '0' group, but 120 '1' groups. The only time we had that many 1's in August, we also had not many 0's, so I suspect this means the 0's have made it up that far yet. We'll survey it again next month; hopefully they will have by then. All the best, Robin
Posted 17th August
A fantastic result at Tresemple, near St Clement on the Tresillian river today. This was the first survey at this site, and the first using a Fyke net. When I opened the end of the net it was full of fish - nearly all '0' group bass - 586 in total. Size looks good too.
Just a few mullet around the 100mm mark, and half a dozen crabs - managed to get these out before they caused any damage!
All the best, Robin
A fantastic result at Tresemple, near St Clement on the Tresillian river today. This was the first survey at this site, and the first using a Fyke net. When I opened the end of the net it was full of fish - nearly all '0' group bass - 586 in total. Size looks good too.
Just a few mullet around the 100mm mark, and half a dozen crabs - managed to get these out before they caused any damage!
All the best, Robin
Posted 16th August
Afternoon all. Another pair of hands at Penpol next Monday would be useful if anyone is free.
Meet at 1530. W3W orbited.mingles.novelists
All the best, Robin
Afternoon all. Another pair of hands at Penpol next Monday would be useful if anyone is free.
Meet at 1530. W3W orbited.mingles.novelists
All the best, Robin
Posted 14th August
Hi everyone. Only 3 bass on the Gannel today. Lovely day for it though
Can anybody help at Penpol (Restronguet) next Monday (19th)? Meet at 1530; W3W orbited.mingles.novelists
All the best, Robin
Hi everyone. Only 3 bass on the Gannel today. Lovely day for it though
Can anybody help at Penpol (Restronguet) next Monday (19th)? Meet at 1530; W3W orbited.mingles.novelists
All the best, Robin
Posted 12th August
Hi everyone.
Another good result yesterday at Bonallack. 124 '0' groups (2nd highest here), 5 '1' groups and 1 '2' group. Scales from the '2' group confirm it's age; one of the scales is a replacement.
Also an amazing variety of species - 11 including a tub gurnard ( a first for our surveys I think) and several of the largest gilthead bream I've seen on a survey. Robin
Hi everyone.
Another good result yesterday at Bonallack. 124 '0' groups (2nd highest here), 5 '1' groups and 1 '2' group. Scales from the '2' group confirm it's age; one of the scales is a replacement.
Also an amazing variety of species - 11 including a tub gurnard ( a first for our surveys I think) and several of the largest gilthead bream I've seen on a survey. Robin
Posted 11th August
Hi everyone. Just to confirm that Eddie, Richard, Rob H, Rob F, Brian and myself will be surveying the Gannel on Weds (14th). Meet at the parking spaces on Trevean Way at 1300. W3W - feuds.gains.giant
All the best, Robin
Hi everyone. Just to confirm that Eddie, Richard, Rob H, Rob F, Brian and myself will be surveying the Gannel on Weds (14th). Meet at the parking spaces on Trevean Way at 1300. W3W - feuds.gains.giant
All the best, Robin
Posted 8th August
Hi everyone. Just to let you know that we're covered for the Gannel survey.
Struggling for St Clement though. Robin
Hi everyone. Just to let you know that we're covered for the Gannel survey.
Struggling for St Clement though. Robin
Posted 8th August
Next week's surveys. Please let me know if you can help with any of the surveys on the attached list.
Next week's surveys. Please let me know if you can help with any of the surveys on the attached list.
| juvenile_bass_surveys_12th_-_15th_aug_2024options.docx |
Posted 7th August
A great catch at Cowlands yesterday. In total 801 bass, including 378 '0' groups, ~283 '1' groups and ~140 '2' groups.
Looking good for this year's spawning - question is just how good? This catch further supports our assessment of last year as 'Good'. This is the highest number of '1' groups we've ever seen in August - from any site. Never seen that number of '2' groups either.
To get this number of bass from 3 different year classes suggests that Cowlands is a very good site. Thanks again to Ian for suggesting it, and for everyone's help yesterday. Robin
A great catch at Cowlands yesterday. In total 801 bass, including 378 '0' groups, ~283 '1' groups and ~140 '2' groups.
Looking good for this year's spawning - question is just how good? This catch further supports our assessment of last year as 'Good'. This is the highest number of '1' groups we've ever seen in August - from any site. Never seen that number of '2' groups either.
To get this number of bass from 3 different year classes suggests that Cowlands is a very good site. Thanks again to Ian for suggesting it, and for everyone's help yesterday. Robin
Posted 6th August
A great result at Polwheveral yesterday. 563 '0' group bass + 4 '1' groups. We also had approx 100 gilt-head bream and several hundred small mullet. Note the '0' group bass with the stubby head; I've seen adults like this.
All the best, Robin
A great result at Polwheveral yesterday. 563 '0' group bass + 4 '1' groups. We also had approx 100 gilt-head bream and several hundred small mullet. Note the '0' group bass with the stubby head; I've seen adults like this.
All the best, Robin
Posted 5th August
Morning all. We now have a Fyke net, courtesy of Plymouth University/Defra. A new adventure begins!
All the best, Robin
Morning all. We now have a Fyke net, courtesy of Plymouth University/Defra. A new adventure begins!
All the best, Robin
Posted 3rd August
A very enjoyable, and eventful (driving around Cornish fields, and interrupting an angler fly fishing!) survey at Trewornan Dam on the Camel.
We netted 10 x '0' group bass, which by the size of some of them were only spawned a couple of months ago. Not an outstanding result, but the best catch by far at this site. Mind you, we had to look carefully to spot them among all the tiny '0' group mullet.
An interesting feature of this site is the very low salinity (4 parts per thousand). I'm guessing this is due to the proximity of the river Amble which runs into the inlet we were netting. I'm not sure what effect this would have on the presence or growth of bass; juveniles like lower salinity, but is there a limit to this? There were plenty of gobies, known to favour lower lower salinity conditions, several tiny flatfish, and even a couple of tiny sticklebacks. Also some large (~50cm) mullet, which were very upset at being caught in the net!
We may try slightly downstream of the dam next time, as the salinity may be slightly higher here.
All the best, and thanks to David W and David K, and Rob F for helping. Robin
Thanks to David K & David W for sending their photos, which are below along with a couple from me.
A very enjoyable, and eventful (driving around Cornish fields, and interrupting an angler fly fishing!) survey at Trewornan Dam on the Camel.
We netted 10 x '0' group bass, which by the size of some of them were only spawned a couple of months ago. Not an outstanding result, but the best catch by far at this site. Mind you, we had to look carefully to spot them among all the tiny '0' group mullet.
An interesting feature of this site is the very low salinity (4 parts per thousand). I'm guessing this is due to the proximity of the river Amble which runs into the inlet we were netting. I'm not sure what effect this would have on the presence or growth of bass; juveniles like lower salinity, but is there a limit to this? There were plenty of gobies, known to favour lower lower salinity conditions, several tiny flatfish, and even a couple of tiny sticklebacks. Also some large (~50cm) mullet, which were very upset at being caught in the net!
We may try slightly downstream of the dam next time, as the salinity may be slightly higher here.
All the best, and thanks to David W and David K, and Rob F for helping. Robin
Thanks to David K & David W for sending their photos, which are below along with a couple from me.
Posted 30th July
Hi everyone.
Many thanks to all those who offered to help with the next set of juvenile bass surveys. Please find attached the list of confirmed dates and sites. See you there, Robin
Hi everyone.
Many thanks to all those who offered to help with the next set of juvenile bass surveys. Please find attached the list of confirmed dates and sites. See you there, Robin
| juvenile_bass_surveys_2nd_-_11th_aug_2024confirmed.docx |
Posted 27th July
Hope everyone's enjoying the summer.
Part 2 of the survey programme is nearly upon us. Please let me know if you can help with any of the surveys on the attached list.
All the best, Robin
Hope everyone's enjoying the summer.
Part 2 of the survey programme is nearly upon us. Please let me know if you can help with any of the surveys on the attached list.
All the best, Robin
| juvenile_bass_surveys_2nd_-_11th_aug_2024.docx |
Posted 20th July
Please find below an Executive Summary of the 'All About The Bass' symposium, which contains links to all the talks. Some interesting stuff here. Of particular relevance to our work are the talks by Rachel Turnbull and Steve Colclough. Also, it was great to hear our work mentioned by Kieran Hyder from Cefas.
Not forgetting Filipe Martinho and Tom Stamp's talks of course!
All the best,Robin
Please find below an Executive Summary of the 'All About The Bass' symposium, which contains links to all the talks. Some interesting stuff here. Of particular relevance to our work are the talks by Rachel Turnbull and Steve Colclough. Also, it was great to hear our work mentioned by Kieran Hyder from Cefas.
Not forgetting Filipe Martinho and Tom Stamp's talks of course!
All the best,Robin
| aab_executive_summary-2.pdf |
Posted 4th July
Please find below a presentation from Dr Ben Ciotti about the FinVision project, which our group are helping with.
All the best, Robin
Please find below a presentation from Dr Ben Ciotti about the FinVision project, which our group are helping with.
All the best, Robin
| ciotti_fisp2023_publictalk20240614_presentation_forsharing-2.pdf |
Posted 1st July
I was on the point of giving up on St Clement (nr Truro) as a site, so it was great to see 53 '0' group bass there on Saturday. Doing it slightly later in the day, using the 30 yard net, and starting when the water depth is around 1.1m seems to be best.
I've attached the interim report for the mid-point of our survey programme - a great effort by our group, and many thanks to all involved.
All the best, Robin
I was on the point of giving up on St Clement (nr Truro) as a site, so it was great to see 53 '0' group bass there on Saturday. Doing it slightly later in the day, using the 30 yard net, and starting when the water depth is around 1.1m seems to be best.
I've attached the interim report for the mid-point of our survey programme - a great effort by our group, and many thanks to all involved.
All the best, Robin
| 2024_interim_report.docx |
Posted 24th June
An excellent paper on bass recruitment https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jfb.15843#
There is so much info here e.g. mean age at settlement (when they arrive in estuaries) = 78 days, mean length at settlement = 23.5mm, overall mean growth rate (at this stage) = 0.33mm per day.
The 2.7cm (27mm) '0' groups we found at Cowlands on 7th June must have only recently arrived, having been spawned around mid-March.
All the best, Robin
An excellent paper on bass recruitment https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jfb.15843#
There is so much info here e.g. mean age at settlement (when they arrive in estuaries) = 78 days, mean length at settlement = 23.5mm, overall mean growth rate (at this stage) = 0.33mm per day.
The 2.7cm (27mm) '0' groups we found at Cowlands on 7th June must have only recently arrived, having been spawned around mid-March.
All the best, Robin
Posted 22nd June
Just to finish off the first part of this year's survey programme, before our July break, I'd like to try to crack St Clement next week. Would be good to try the flood, as well as the ebb, but too much on one day. If you can help with any of the dates shown on the attached, please let me know.
All the best, Robin
Just to finish off the first part of this year's survey programme, before our July break, I'd like to try to crack St Clement next week. Would be good to try the flood, as well as the ebb, but too much on one day. If you can help with any of the dates shown on the attached, please let me know.
All the best, Robin
| juvenile_bass_surveys_28-30_june_2024.docx |
Posted 16th June
A very enjoyable and informative day on the Erme in Devon yesterday on the FinVision workshop. There will be lots of photos in due course from the official photographer, but I took these two of the Fyke net they were using. I’m hoping to trial one of these as part of our juvenile bass survey programme this year if I can get permission.
Also it seems the very early ‘0’ groups we’ve been seeing are also on the Erme. All the best, Robin
A very enjoyable and informative day on the Erme in Devon yesterday on the FinVision workshop. There will be lots of photos in due course from the official photographer, but I took these two of the Fyke net they were using. I’m hoping to trial one of these as part of our juvenile bass survey programme this year if I can get permission.
Also it seems the very early ‘0’ groups we’ve been seeing are also on the Erme. All the best, Robin
Posted 16th June
I sent Steve Colclough a couple of photos showing some of the early '0' groups we've been getting recently. I thought his excellent comments were worth sharing with the group. Robin
I sent Steve Colclough a couple of photos showing some of the early '0' groups we've been getting recently. I thought his excellent comments were worth sharing with the group. Robin
| early_0_groups.docx |
Posted 13th June
Gannel Survey: Just to let you know that we're going for next Tues (18th) for this one.
Please feel free to join us if you'd like to. Robin
Gannel Survey: Just to let you know that we're going for next Tues (18th) for this one.
Please feel free to join us if you'd like to. Robin
Posted 12th June
Please see attached info about what should be a very useful workshop. I'll be going up, and at the moment have a couple of spare seats in the car.
Let me know if you're interested. All the best, Robin.
Please see attached info about what should be a very useful workshop. I'll be going up, and at the moment have a couple of spare seats in the car.
Let me know if you're interested. All the best, Robin.
| fish_ecology.docx |
Posted 12th June
When we tried netting the Gannel last year, we had some encouraging results for '0' groups. I'd like to see if we get any '1' groups there earlier in the year, so if you can help with any of the dates on the attached do let me know.
All the best, Robin
When we tried netting the Gannel last year, we had some encouraging results for '0' groups. I'd like to see if we get any '1' groups there earlier in the year, so if you can help with any of the dates on the attached do let me know.
All the best, Robin
| juvenile_bass_surveys_17_–_19_june_24.docx |
Posted 11th June
A successful end to this series of bass surveys, with 30 x '1' group bass + 1 very early '0' group at Bonallack. Great to be working with Rachel from Plymouth University, helping with her PhD research and deploying the 'JHaM Cam' for the 'FinVision' project.
Thanks to all involved over the last 6 days. Now for some family time and a bit of fishing
All the best, Robin
A successful end to this series of bass surveys, with 30 x '1' group bass + 1 very early '0' group at Bonallack. Great to be working with Rachel from Plymouth University, helping with her PhD research and deploying the 'JHaM Cam' for the 'FinVision' project.
Thanks to all involved over the last 6 days. Now for some family time and a bit of fishing
All the best, Robin
Posted 8th June
A good catch at Polwheveral (87 x '1' groups) on Weds was followed by a poor one at Merthen (2 x '1' groups) - but at least we saw a nice Thornback Ray.
60+ x '1' groups at Cowlands yesterday. Another good result for this new site, which is shaping up to be our 'Polwheveral' on the Fal. We also found a 2 year-old, and some tiny '0' groups. Very early for these.
The photo with the 3 fish shows an '0' group (probably spawned just a couple of months ago) at the top, a '1' group ( 1 year-old) next, and a '2' group (2 years-old) at the bottom.
A good catch at Polwheveral (87 x '1' groups) on Weds was followed by a poor one at Merthen (2 x '1' groups) - but at least we saw a nice Thornback Ray.
60+ x '1' groups at Cowlands yesterday. Another good result for this new site, which is shaping up to be our 'Polwheveral' on the Fal. We also found a 2 year-old, and some tiny '0' groups. Very early for these.
The photo with the 3 fish shows an '0' group (probably spawned just a couple of months ago) at the top, a '1' group ( 1 year-old) next, and a '2' group (2 years-old) at the bottom.
Posted 5th June
Message from Robin
"Nice to see lots of interest in the bass surveys, and thankyou to the people who have offered to help. The bigger the group of volunteers we have, the more surveys we can do, which in turn helps with bass conservation, and research into what environmental & climatic conditions make for good or bad year classes. Good year classes give us hope for the future, bad year classes support the case for reduced catch limits.
The photo of the fish on my hand is of a very young (spawned in April this year?) '0' group bass. Note how different it is from older bass. There may have been more present, but they would most likely have got through our 10mm mesh size net. This is the smallest, and earliest we've seen them. Plymouth Uni are developing a camera to try to pick these very early stages up. We're helping with this and other research into bass at Plymouth and Essex Unis.
The other photo is from a good catch of 1 year-old bass (266) at Lamorran recently. If you look closely you can see the spots which they lose in their second year (not to be confused with spotted bass, a different species). You can also see sand smelts, which we commonly get, and of course a large (for our surveys) mullet (probably Thick-lip). All fish are returned after counting and measuring."
Message from Robin
"Nice to see lots of interest in the bass surveys, and thankyou to the people who have offered to help. The bigger the group of volunteers we have, the more surveys we can do, which in turn helps with bass conservation, and research into what environmental & climatic conditions make for good or bad year classes. Good year classes give us hope for the future, bad year classes support the case for reduced catch limits.
The photo of the fish on my hand is of a very young (spawned in April this year?) '0' group bass. Note how different it is from older bass. There may have been more present, but they would most likely have got through our 10mm mesh size net. This is the smallest, and earliest we've seen them. Plymouth Uni are developing a camera to try to pick these very early stages up. We're helping with this and other research into bass at Plymouth and Essex Unis.
The other photo is from a good catch of 1 year-old bass (266) at Lamorran recently. If you look closely you can see the spots which they lose in their second year (not to be confused with spotted bass, a different species). You can also see sand smelts, which we commonly get, and of course a large (for our surveys) mullet (probably Thick-lip). All fish are returned after counting and measuring."
Posted 2nd June
Hi everyone. Please see attached list of juvenile bass surveys for the next set of tides. We need at least one person for Penpol on the 8th to go ahead, and an extra pair of hands at Gorrangorras on the 9th would be useful. All the bst Robin
Hi everyone. Please see attached list of juvenile bass surveys for the next set of tides. We need at least one person for Penpol on the 8th to go ahead, and an extra pair of hands at Gorrangorras on the 9th would be useful. All the bst Robin
| juvenile_bass_surveys_5th_–_11th_june_2024__1_.docx |
Posted 31st May
Bass Surveys 5th to 11th June
Please see attached list of juvenile bass survey options for the next period. Please let me know if you can help with any of these.
Bass Surveys 5th to 11th June
Please see attached list of juvenile bass survey options for the next period. Please let me know if you can help with any of these.
| juvenile_bass_surveys_5th_–_11th_june_2024.docx |
Posted 30th May
A dissapointing result at St Clement yesterday, with no '1' groups. Wondering whether to persist with this site, but will have another go at the end of June hopefully.
A very nice, and interesting surprise was this '0' group, which eagle-eyed Ryan spotted. This is the earliest I've ever seen one in our surveys, and at 2.5cm the smallest. I suspect it wasn't the only one, but our 10mm mesh net would probably have missed them.
A dissapointing result at St Clement yesterday, with no '1' groups. Wondering whether to persist with this site, but will have another go at the end of June hopefully.
A very nice, and interesting surprise was this '0' group, which eagle-eyed Ryan spotted. This is the earliest I've ever seen one in our surveys, and at 2.5cm the smallest. I suspect it wasn't the only one, but our 10mm mesh net would probably have missed them.
Posted 28th May
We found 27 x 1 year-old bass at Bonallack, on the Helford, yesterday. We haven't had this many at this site in May before, so a good result.
Lots of different species seen, including loads of pipefish, a couple of Dover sole.
All the best, Robin
We found 27 x 1 year-old bass at Bonallack, on the Helford, yesterday. We haven't had this many at this site in May before, so a good result.
Lots of different species seen, including loads of pipefish, a couple of Dover sole.
All the best, Robin
Posted 27th May
A good result at Polwheveral yesterday. Similar number of '1' groups (114) as last time, but more small mullet and 5 gilts.
Thanks to Gav and George for helping. Bonallack today.
All the best, Robin
A good result at Polwheveral yesterday. Similar number of '1' groups (114) as last time, but more small mullet and 5 gilts.
Thanks to Gav and George for helping. Bonallack today.
All the best, Robin
Posted 24th May
Dear all, We had a great result at Lamorran, on the Fal, yesterday, with ~250 '1' groups. Many thanks to John, Matt and especially Jon W for taking us up there in his boat.
Not so good at Gorrangorras on Weds, with just 9 '1' groups.
All the best,Robin
Dear all, We had a great result at Lamorran, on the Fal, yesterday, with ~250 '1' groups. Many thanks to John, Matt and especially Jon W for taking us up there in his boat.
Not so good at Gorrangorras on Weds, with just 9 '1' groups.
All the best,Robin
Posted 20th May
Morning all.
Please see attached list of confirmed surveys (subject to any weather changes) for this week and next.
If anybody can spare 2 or 3 hours on Weds/Thurs/Fri afternoon at St Clement (nr. Truro), that would be much appreciated.
All the best, Robin
Morning all.
Please see attached list of confirmed surveys (subject to any weather changes) for this week and next.
If anybody can spare 2 or 3 hours on Weds/Thurs/Fri afternoon at St Clement (nr. Truro), that would be much appreciated.
All the best, Robin
| surveys_22nd_–_31st_may_-_confirmed.docx |
Posted May 15th
I've attached a list of survey options for the next set of tides. Please let me know if you can help with any of these. Robin
I've attached a list of survey options for the next set of tides. Please let me know if you can help with any of these. Robin
| surveys_22nd_–_31st_may.docx |
Posted May 14th
Hi everyone. Another photo from the survey at Bonallack, on the Helford, yesterday.
L-R Gav Ingram, Brad Wiffen, Kevin's dog!, Kevin Pinch, who kindly takes our gear down to the creek,and George Brew.
Happy days!
Hi everyone. Another photo from the survey at Bonallack, on the Helford, yesterday.
L-R Gav Ingram, Brad Wiffen, Kevin's dog!, Kevin Pinch, who kindly takes our gear down to the creek,and George Brew.
Happy days!
Posted May 13th
That concludes a successful week of surveys. I'll send out the next set of survey dates this week sometime.
Cowlands confirmed it's potential as a good site, with 32 '1' groups and 3 '2' groups on Saturday.
Just 3 '1' groups at Bonallack yesterday. We did however net a 50cm bass - the poor thing was looking decidely unwell (see photos)!
I took some scales from one of the '2' groups from Cowlands, hoping to confirm its age. I've marked with red arrows a single growth ring. However, given its length (21cm), the time of year, and the wide outer band, I suspect it's about to deposit a second ring at anytime. Growth rings usually appear in May or June in the area shown with a blue arrow. In fact it's just possible, with the eye of faith, to make out the beginning of a new ring (need better gear than my ancient projector and mobile phone camera for this lark!) in one or two of the scales.
All the best Robin
That concludes a successful week of surveys. I'll send out the next set of survey dates this week sometime.
Cowlands confirmed it's potential as a good site, with 32 '1' groups and 3 '2' groups on Saturday.
Just 3 '1' groups at Bonallack yesterday. We did however net a 50cm bass - the poor thing was looking decidely unwell (see photos)!
I took some scales from one of the '2' groups from Cowlands, hoping to confirm its age. I've marked with red arrows a single growth ring. However, given its length (21cm), the time of year, and the wide outer band, I suspect it's about to deposit a second ring at anytime. Growth rings usually appear in May or June in the area shown with a blue arrow. In fact it's just possible, with the eye of faith, to make out the beginning of a new ring (need better gear than my ancient projector and mobile phone camera for this lark!) in one or two of the scales.
All the best Robin
Posted May 11th
A good result at Gorrangorras (Penryn river) yesterday - 47 x '1' groups. A lot of variation in sizes, seemingly reflecting the variation we saw at this site last September for '0' groups.
I was trialling a pair of snowshoes - as used by Cornwall Wildlife Trust for their seagrass restoration work. It was easier to walk around in them than I thought, and I didn't sink in the mud much - until I tried wading into the channel! More trials required I think. Robin
A good result at Gorrangorras (Penryn river) yesterday - 47 x '1' groups. A lot of variation in sizes, seemingly reflecting the variation we saw at this site last September for '0' groups.
I was trialling a pair of snowshoes - as used by Cornwall Wildlife Trust for their seagrass restoration work. It was easier to walk around in them than I thought, and I didn't sink in the mud much - until I tried wading into the channel! More trials required I think. Robin
Posted 8th May
Hi everybody.
No '1' groups found at Penpol on Monday, although we did find the attached tiny flatfish (?species) among lots of small mullet + some sand smelts and common gobies.
A different story at Polwheveral yesterday, with 127 '1' groups, sand smelts and a brown trout - first time I've seen this! We think it may have come out of the stream leading down to the creek and was snacking on sand smelts!
Hi everybody.
No '1' groups found at Penpol on Monday, although we did find the attached tiny flatfish (?species) among lots of small mullet + some sand smelts and common gobies.
A different story at Polwheveral yesterday, with 127 '1' groups, sand smelts and a brown trout - first time I've seen this! We think it may have come out of the stream leading down to the creek and was snacking on sand smelts!
Upcoming Bass Surveys - Posted 5th May
Please find attached list of confirmed bass surveys next week.
Feel free to join us if you are not already down (just let me know). We could do with two more volunteers for the survey on the 8th and one for the survey on the 13th.
Look forward to seeing some of you next week.
Please find attached list of confirmed bass surveys next week.
Feel free to join us if you are not already down (just let me know). We could do with two more volunteers for the survey on the 8th and one for the survey on the 13th.
Look forward to seeing some of you next week.
| surveys_6th_–_mon_13th_2024_-_confirmed.docx |
Message from Robin Bradley: posted May 1st.
Hi everybody, Hope you are all well.
Please could you let me know if you can help with any of the surveys on the attached file below. The final choices will depend on availability of helpers and weather (looking OK throughout at the moment).
We are fortunate to have Jon Williams available with his boat for Merthen on the 8th, and Ruan on the 13th.
Hi everybody, Hope you are all well.
Please could you let me know if you can help with any of the surveys on the attached file below. The final choices will depend on availability of helpers and weather (looking OK throughout at the moment).
We are fortunate to have Jon Williams available with his boat for Merthen on the 8th, and Ruan on the 13th.
| surveys_mon_6th_–_mon_13th_may_2024.docx |
Message from Robin who's having email problems at the moment: Posted 26th February 2024
It was great to catch up with volunteers and partners at our get-together at the Bolingey Inn last Saturday.
Looking forward to starting the 2024 surveys in May.
All the best, Robin
It was great to catch up with volunteers and partners at our get-together at the Bolingey Inn last Saturday.
Looking forward to starting the 2024 surveys in May.
All the best, Robin
Posted January 27th: From Robin Bradley
Some very sad news. Craig Baldwin passed away on Monday. Craig was a lovely man, and will be missed by many people, not least his fellow juvenile bass survey volunteers. Here he is on a survey at Ruan on the Fal back in 2021.
I will send a card on behalf of the group. When I have information about his funeral I will let you know.
Some very sad news. Craig Baldwin passed away on Monday. Craig was a lovely man, and will be missed by many people, not least his fellow juvenile bass survey volunteers. Here he is on a survey at Ruan on the Fal back in 2021.
I will send a card on behalf of the group. When I have information about his funeral I will let you know.
Posted 10th January:
Hi everyone, and a Happy New Year.
I'm very pleased to report that the paper on drivers of young sea bass abundance, coordinated by Cefas and incorporating our data, has been published https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmars.2023.1209311/full?&utm_source=Email_to_authors_&utm_medium=Email&utm_content=T1_11.5e1_author&utm_campaign=Email_publication&field=&journalName=Frontiers_in_Marine_Science&id=1209311
Some highlights:
Fal & Helford:
" In the best-fitting model, winter river flow, and winter SST are significant positive predictors of age zero sea bass abundance. A greater abundance of anchovy also has a positive effect on age zero sea bass abundance, but this is not statistically significant. Finally, annual river flow had a significant negative effect"
"For the Fal and Helford, the model predicted the peaks and troughs in the data with relatively high precision and accuracy, with almost all data points being within the 95% confidence interval. The high precision and accuracy of the model suggests the primary drivers, or at least proxies for these drivers, have been captured adequately in the model."
We must be doing something right!
Robin
Hi everyone, and a Happy New Year.
I'm very pleased to report that the paper on drivers of young sea bass abundance, coordinated by Cefas and incorporating our data, has been published https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmars.2023.1209311/full?&utm_source=Email_to_authors_&utm_medium=Email&utm_content=T1_11.5e1_author&utm_campaign=Email_publication&field=&journalName=Frontiers_in_Marine_Science&id=1209311
Some highlights:
Fal & Helford:
" In the best-fitting model, winter river flow, and winter SST are significant positive predictors of age zero sea bass abundance. A greater abundance of anchovy also has a positive effect on age zero sea bass abundance, but this is not statistically significant. Finally, annual river flow had a significant negative effect"
"For the Fal and Helford, the model predicted the peaks and troughs in the data with relatively high precision and accuracy, with almost all data points being within the 95% confidence interval. The high precision and accuracy of the model suggests the primary drivers, or at least proxies for these drivers, have been captured adequately in the model."
We must be doing something right!
Robin
