Posted 14th October
As promised, here's the slides from my talk to Redruth Sea Angling Association last evening- Robin.
As promised, here's the slides from my talk to Redruth Sea Angling Association last evening- Robin.
| redruth_saa_talk.pdf |
Posted 11th October
Hi everyone, I hope you are well.
Just to update you about a couple for things:
The 2025 surveys have now concluded. I'll be doing a full report in due course, but initial conclusions are that the 2025 bass year class was a poor one on the Helford. The Fal was better, but I would only rate this as fair. I will be submitting our data to Cefas for the next ICES bass stock assessment next week. The survey data spreadsheet will be available as soon as I've checked it.
I'm giving a talk about the survey work on Monday (13th Oct) evening to the Redruth Sea Angling Association. This will be held at the St Rumons Social Club, Penryn St, Redruth TR15 2SP, starting at 8pm. The talk will last for approx 30 mins.
Members of CBIG are welcome to attend. For anybody would like to hear the talk, but can't attend, I'll email the slides after the talk.
All the best, Robin
Hi everyone, I hope you are well.
Just to update you about a couple for things:
The 2025 surveys have now concluded. I'll be doing a full report in due course, but initial conclusions are that the 2025 bass year class was a poor one on the Helford. The Fal was better, but I would only rate this as fair. I will be submitting our data to Cefas for the next ICES bass stock assessment next week. The survey data spreadsheet will be available as soon as I've checked it.
I'm giving a talk about the survey work on Monday (13th Oct) evening to the Redruth Sea Angling Association. This will be held at the St Rumons Social Club, Penryn St, Redruth TR15 2SP, starting at 8pm. The talk will last for approx 30 mins.
Members of CBIG are welcome to attend. For anybody would like to hear the talk, but can't attend, I'll email the slides after the talk.
All the best, Robin
Posted 1st October
Just to let you know that, as Science lead for BASS, I'm helping to supervise a PhD student at Essex University. This has direct relevance to CBIG, as my main input will be sharing our survey dataset, and enabling the student to take part in some of our surveys next year.
This looks like a very important piece of research, which will take place over the next three years. It will help to give more information about the importance and connectivity between bass' three main habitats - spawning, nursery and summer feeding.
More information here https://www.aries-dtp.ac.uk/studentships/sturrock/
Great to be involved in this. I'll keep you posted.
All the best, Robin
Just to let you know that, as Science lead for BASS, I'm helping to supervise a PhD student at Essex University. This has direct relevance to CBIG, as my main input will be sharing our survey dataset, and enabling the student to take part in some of our surveys next year.
This looks like a very important piece of research, which will take place over the next three years. It will help to give more information about the importance and connectivity between bass' three main habitats - spawning, nursery and summer feeding.
More information here https://www.aries-dtp.ac.uk/studentships/sturrock/
Great to be involved in this. I'll keep you posted.
All the best, Robin
Posted 16th September
Morning all.
It was great that we managed to complete 7 surveys from the last set, despite the unsettled weather. Pretty poor results on the whole. The picture is becoming clearer - Helford looking very poor, Fal better, but not as good as last year. We will be carrying out a few more surveys later this month, and early next, before reaching any firm conclusions at the end of the 2025 programme.
Some of you may recall our involvement, via BASS, in the FinVision project. The final technical report is attached. Interesting to note that Seine nets picked up a greater number of fish, and a wider range of species, than the camera developed during the project, but this has other important advantages.
Of the surveys when the camera was deployed alongside our nets, only Penpol was included in the final analysis - presumably due to technical or visibility problems elsewhere. Overall they found that intertidal habitats such as saltmarsh and mudflats were dominated by juvenile bass.
All the best, Robin
Morning all.
It was great that we managed to complete 7 surveys from the last set, despite the unsettled weather. Pretty poor results on the whole. The picture is becoming clearer - Helford looking very poor, Fal better, but not as good as last year. We will be carrying out a few more surveys later this month, and early next, before reaching any firm conclusions at the end of the 2025 programme.
Some of you may recall our involvement, via BASS, in the FinVision project. The final technical report is attached. Interesting to note that Seine nets picked up a greater number of fish, and a wider range of species, than the camera developed during the project, but this has other important advantages.
Of the surveys when the camera was deployed alongside our nets, only Penpol was included in the final analysis - presumably due to technical or visibility problems elsewhere. Overall they found that intertidal habitats such as saltmarsh and mudflats were dominated by juvenile bass.
All the best, Robin
| ciotti_fisp2023_finaltechnicalreport.pdf |
Posted 1st September
Final list of survey options
Final list of survey options
| surveys_5-14.9.25.pdf |
Posted 30th August
The list of options for the next set of juvenile bass surveys is attached. Please let me know if you can help with any of these.
This will conclude the survey programme for this year, save for any mopping up needed at the end of the month.
All the best, Robin
The list of options for the next set of juvenile bass surveys is attached. Please let me know if you can help with any of these.
This will conclude the survey programme for this year, save for any mopping up needed at the end of the month.
All the best, Robin
| survey_options_5-14.9.25.pdf |
Posted 18th August
Hi everyone.
We've concluded our first set of juvenile bass surveys for part 2 of this year's survey programme. So far the results are not what I was expecting, with long-standing sites like Polwheveral and Merthen on the Helford producing just 1 and 0 x '0' groups respectively, and Lamorran and Ruan on the Fal also producing low numbers of '0' groups (4 and 9 respectively). Other sites such as Cowlands and Penpol have produced better results, but fewer '0' groups than in the previous 2 (good) years. Gorrangorras produced the best result so far, with 286 '0' groups - interestingly the water temperature was the highest I can recall recording at 28.9°C (Salinity 25 parts per thousand).
St Clement produced 21 x '0' groups, which compares favourably with a catch of 3 on a similar tide in 2024, but less good than 2023 when a catch of 48 was made in August.
It's a bit too early to draw any conclusions yet, but hopefully we will have a good idea of the strength of the 2025 class at the end of the survey programme - if not the reasons for this!
A notable catch was over 600 gilthead bream (average size 102mm) at Polwheveral - the most we have ever recorded I think.
I've attached the confirmed list for the next set of surveys; do let me know if you'd like to attend any of these.
All the best, Robin
Hi everyone.
We've concluded our first set of juvenile bass surveys for part 2 of this year's survey programme. So far the results are not what I was expecting, with long-standing sites like Polwheveral and Merthen on the Helford producing just 1 and 0 x '0' groups respectively, and Lamorran and Ruan on the Fal also producing low numbers of '0' groups (4 and 9 respectively). Other sites such as Cowlands and Penpol have produced better results, but fewer '0' groups than in the previous 2 (good) years. Gorrangorras produced the best result so far, with 286 '0' groups - interestingly the water temperature was the highest I can recall recording at 28.9°C (Salinity 25 parts per thousand).
St Clement produced 21 x '0' groups, which compares favourably with a catch of 3 on a similar tide in 2024, but less good than 2023 when a catch of 48 was made in August.
It's a bit too early to draw any conclusions yet, but hopefully we will have a good idea of the strength of the 2025 class at the end of the survey programme - if not the reasons for this!
A notable catch was over 600 gilthead bream (average size 102mm) at Polwheveral - the most we have ever recorded I think.
I've attached the confirmed list for the next set of surveys; do let me know if you'd like to attend any of these.
All the best, Robin
Posted 14th August
Dear all, Please see attached list of the next set of juvenile bass surveys.
As always, please let me know if you can help with any of these.
All the best, Robin
Dear all, Please see attached list of the next set of juvenile bass surveys.
As always, please let me know if you can help with any of these.
All the best, Robin
| survey_options_20-29.8.25.pdf |
Posted 30th July
Hi everybody, Hope you're enjoying the summer.
Please see attached list of dates and options for the next set of surveys, and let me know if you can help with any of these.
All the best, Robin.
Hi everybody, Hope you're enjoying the summer.
Please see attached list of dates and options for the next set of surveys, and let me know if you can help with any of these.
All the best, Robin.
| survey_options_7-16.8.25v2.pdf |
Posted 30th June
Great to see our data being included in the latest ICES advice on bass fishing opportunities for the Northern stock.
Many thanks, Robin
Great to see our data being included in the latest ICES advice on bass fishing opportunities for the Northern stock.
Many thanks, Robin
|
| ||||
Posted 28th June
Hello all-At Penpol on Weds we found 7 x '0' groups, 17 x '1' groups, and 1 x '2' group.
At Cowlands on Thursday we found 12 x '0' groups, 518 x '1' groups, and 15 x '2' groups.
At Polwheveral yesterday, we found 20 x '0' groups and 12 x '1' groups.
That brings part 1 of this year's survey programme to an end. Please see attached interim report.
Hopefully see those that can make it when the surveys resume in August, Robin.
Hello all-At Penpol on Weds we found 7 x '0' groups, 17 x '1' groups, and 1 x '2' group.
At Cowlands on Thursday we found 12 x '0' groups, 518 x '1' groups, and 15 x '2' groups.
At Polwheveral yesterday, we found 20 x '0' groups and 12 x '1' groups.
That brings part 1 of this year's survey programme to an end. Please see attached interim report.
Hopefully see those that can make it when the surveys resume in August, Robin.
| interim_report_2025__1_.pdf |
Posted 19th June
A quick update on the recent surveys.
0' groups, from this year's spawning, have been present at all the sites surveyed. In year's gone by we would have missed most of these, as they didn't usually arrive until early July, outside our first survey period (May & June). The best catch was at Lamorran (62) last Thursday.
'1' group numbers have been low generally, but we had a very good catch (highest ever) at Ruan on Sunday, providing supporting evidence for our assessment of 'good' for the 2024 class.. I suspect the pattern of results we're seeing is more to do with fish moving within the estuaries (possibly linked to increased temperatures) than any linkage with last year's '0' group results.
With thanks to all who have helped, and in particular to Jon and Rob F who used their boats for surveys, and to George who took our gear down to the Bonallack site in the Landrover.
All the best, Robin
A quick update on the recent surveys.
0' groups, from this year's spawning, have been present at all the sites surveyed. In year's gone by we would have missed most of these, as they didn't usually arrive until early July, outside our first survey period (May & June). The best catch was at Lamorran (62) last Thursday.
'1' group numbers have been low generally, but we had a very good catch (highest ever) at Ruan on Sunday, providing supporting evidence for our assessment of 'good' for the 2024 class.. I suspect the pattern of results we're seeing is more to do with fish moving within the estuaries (possibly linked to increased temperatures) than any linkage with last year's '0' group results.
With thanks to all who have helped, and in particular to Jon and Rob F who used their boats for surveys, and to George who took our gear down to the Bonallack site in the Landrover.
All the best, Robin
Posted 17th June
Morning all, Please could you let me know if you can help on any of the surveys listed on the attached.
This will be our last set of surveys before we break for July.
All the best, Robin
Morning all, Please could you let me know if you can help on any of the surveys listed on the attached.
This will be our last set of surveys before we break for July.
All the best, Robin
| survey_options_24_-_27.6.25.docx |
Posted 5th June
Thanks to a great response from our WhatsApp group (let me know if you'd like to join this) yesterday, we now have enough helpers for all the surveys on the next set of tides (see attached). If anyone else would like to come along on any of these surveys, just let me know. Robin.
Thanks to a great response from our WhatsApp group (let me know if you'd like to join this) yesterday, we now have enough helpers for all the surveys on the next set of tides (see attached). If anyone else would like to come along on any of these surveys, just let me know. Robin.
| surveys_12_-_18.6.25.docx |
Posted 4th June
Many thanks to those who have agreed to help with this set of surveys so far (see attached). We've covered most of these (although one or two more helpers on each would be very useful) except for Bonallack. We're going for Tues 17th for this one, but we need at least one, ideally two more helpers to make it doable. I'd really like to do this one as we missed it last time. It would be great to get some of the non-regulars involved. Don't worry if you haven't done one before - you'll soon pick it up and there's lots of help. All the best Robin.
Many thanks to those who have agreed to help with this set of surveys so far (see attached). We've covered most of these (although one or two more helpers on each would be very useful) except for Bonallack. We're going for Tues 17th for this one, but we need at least one, ideally two more helpers to make it doable. I'd really like to do this one as we missed it last time. It would be great to get some of the non-regulars involved. Don't worry if you haven't done one before - you'll soon pick it up and there's lots of help. All the best Robin.
| survey_options_10-_18.6.25.docx |
Posted 1st June
Hi everyone,
Please could you have a look at the attached list of survey options, and let me know if you can help with any.
Hi everyone,
Please could you have a look at the attached list of survey options, and let me know if you can help with any.
| survey_options_10-_18.6.25.docx |
Posted 15th May
Hi everyone -A quick update on recent survey results:
0/5/25 - Lamorran (Fal): 330 '1' groups. This is the most '1' groups we've ever had in May.
12/5/25 - Polwheveral (Helford): 4 '1' groups. Nick Stevens (a CBIG volunteer) did some filming and interviewing for a video he's making for us to publicise our work.
14/5/25 - Gorrangorrass (Fal/Penryn): 50 '1' groups.
An interesting split, with the Fal doing better than the Helford so far. But it's early days, and the position should become clearer when we resume sampling next month.
All the best, Robin.
Hi everyone -A quick update on recent survey results:
0/5/25 - Lamorran (Fal): 330 '1' groups. This is the most '1' groups we've ever had in May.
12/5/25 - Polwheveral (Helford): 4 '1' groups. Nick Stevens (a CBIG volunteer) did some filming and interviewing for a video he's making for us to publicise our work.
14/5/25 - Gorrangorrass (Fal/Penryn): 50 '1' groups.
An interesting split, with the Fal doing better than the Helford so far. But it's early days, and the position should become clearer when we resume sampling next month.
All the best, Robin.
Posted 3rd May
Hi everyone.
Please let me know if you can help with any of the surveys listed on the attached.
All the best, Robin
Hi everyone.
Please let me know if you can help with any of the surveys listed on the attached.
All the best, Robin
| survey_options_9_-_18.5.25.docx |
Posted 2nd May
Hi all, A successful couple of surveys this week. On Wednesday Merthen lived up to its track record of producing a wide range of species including turbot and black gobies. The new fish viewer was very useful.
Just 2 bass from last year.
Today we went up to Ruan in Jon's boat. A very enjoyable day in near-perfect conditions More bass (26 x 1 groups) but pretty standard species-wise. Quite a good result on the bass, given the time of year.
Many thanks to all involved.
All the best, Robin
Hi all, A successful couple of surveys this week. On Wednesday Merthen lived up to its track record of producing a wide range of species including turbot and black gobies. The new fish viewer was very useful.
Just 2 bass from last year.
Today we went up to Ruan in Jon's boat. A very enjoyable day in near-perfect conditions More bass (26 x 1 groups) but pretty standard species-wise. Quite a good result on the bass, given the time of year.
Many thanks to all involved.
All the best, Robin
Posted 25th April
We're starting off gently with the juvenile bass surveys - there will be more to follow soon.
Next week we'll be doing Ruan Creek on the Fal on Friday. We need a boat to get to this one, and this is already full, so we're covered for this survey.
We'll be doing Merthen on the Helford on Weds (30th). We'll be meeting at Gear Farm pasty shop (TR12 6DE) at 11.15 and taking the track out towards Tremayne Quay. Let me know if you'd like to join us
All the best, Robin
We're starting off gently with the juvenile bass surveys - there will be more to follow soon.
Next week we'll be doing Ruan Creek on the Fal on Friday. We need a boat to get to this one, and this is already full, so we're covered for this survey.
We'll be doing Merthen on the Helford on Weds (30th). We'll be meeting at Gear Farm pasty shop (TR12 6DE) at 11.15 and taking the track out towards Tremayne Quay. Let me know if you'd like to join us
All the best, Robin
Posted 16th April-from Robin
Just wanted to share a comment from the attached report, where on p8 Dr Kieran Hyder (KH) shares that the biggest finding or achievement of the (bass) research he's involved in was "using 20 years of data on recruitment in the Fal and Helford estuaries from an existing citizen science project to develop an index that will be used in the stock assessment. This was particularly rewarding as it demonstrated the value of citizen science, was done in partnership, and contributed to addressing an evidence gap in stock assessment.
Well done everybody!
Just wanted to share a comment from the attached report, where on p8 Dr Kieran Hyder (KH) shares that the biggest finding or achievement of the (bass) research he's involved in was "using 20 years of data on recruitment in the Fal and Helford estuaries from an existing citizen science project to develop an index that will be used in the stock assessment. This was particularly rewarding as it demonstrated the value of citizen science, was done in partnership, and contributed to addressing an evidence gap in stock assessment.
Well done everybody!
| science_and_fmps_event_meeting_report__2_.pdf |
Posted April 12th-from Robin Bradley
I thought you might like to see this article I wrote about Derek for the Bass Anglers' Sportfishing Society magazine.
I thought you might like to see this article I wrote about Derek for the Bass Anglers' Sportfishing Society magazine.
Posted 4th January
It was a sad day yesterday, but I think we gave Derek a good send off.
Robin Bradley
It was a sad day yesterday, but I think we gave Derek a good send off.
Robin Bradley
| derek_eulogy.docx |
Posted 9th February
Hi everyone
It was great to see everyone at our annual get-together last night. We raised a glass to Derek.
Hope to see you in the summer.
All the best, Robin
Hi everyone
It was great to see everyone at our annual get-together last night. We raised a glass to Derek.
Hope to see you in the summer.
All the best, Robin
