I'll Be Blowed!!!

[Guest]

I\'ll Be Blowed!!!

Whilst cleaning my boat on its moorings (Sutton Marina, Plymouth) creeping up the side nibbling at the weed was a small puffer fish. Are these native to our waters or is this another sign of the Global Warming Phenominon?

 

[ToMo]

Re: I\'ll Be Blowed!!!

They seem to becoming more common - there have been several sightings reported in the local Cornish press.......not the only new stuff either!
ToMo

 

[ccscott49]

Re: I\'ll Be Blowed!!!

Caght a trigger fish in St. Davids bay, they are definitely not usual in these waters, few years ago aswell!

 

[johmal]

Re: I\'ll Be Blowed!!!

Last year - in Start Bay - just off Dartmouth - I saw what I thought was a chopped off sharks head - but it turned out to be a sun fish - about three feet long!

 

[PaulJ]

Re: I\'ll Be Blowed!!!

Some years ago I saw a school of pilot whales off Newhaven but when I reported it to the Coastguard they didn't seem very interested. Does anyone know if there is some kind of official monitoring unit to whom you can report such sightings so that they can be collated?

 

[ccscott49]

Re: I\'ll Be Blowed!!!

They are native to our waters, especially around Biscay, saw a few of them.

 

[ccscott49]

Re: I\'ll Be Blowed!!!

There is definietly a dolphin/whale watch thingy going on in the UK, you will need to do a search or whatever, as I don't remember the address or anything, LJS, being a diver down on the south west coast may well know, try a PM.

 

[oldharry]

Whale and Dolphin Watch

There is a Whale and Dolphin watch centre at the Durlston Country Park centre near Swanage, who are always keen to have reports of - er - Whales and Dolphins in the Channel.

Unfortunately can't put my hand on their phone number just now.

 

[webcraft]

Re: Whale and Dolphin Watch

The people to contact are the Sea Watch Foundation

http://www.seawatchfoundation.org.uk/

Their excellent website (above) has pdf forms to print out and fill in to record your sightings.

- Nick

BlueMoment.Com
http://www.bluemoment.com

 

[PaulJ]

Re: Whale and Dolphin Watch

Thanks Nick..... a good thing to keep on board.

 

[tonyleigh]

Re: I\'ll Be Blowed!!! - reporting

The sunfish is getting almost common now especially off the Scillies, and in some of the more turbulent streams off Lands End and the Lizard. Any sightings of cetaceans or unusual fish (dead or alive) are much appreciated by Lindy Hingley at www.brixhamseawatch.fsnet.co.uk - do please sea her site. She has been doing a fantastic job for a number of years now and deserves all support possible. You can send sightings on-line or Lindy will provide you with recognition charts and report forms to carry on board. She also does a well-worthwhile talk to clubs etc. I would really recommend her site to anyone who cruises in the southwest - or indeed anywhere.

 

[Gordonmc]

Re: Whale and Dolphin Watch

For Scottish waters try the Cetacean Research and Rescue unit based at Gardenstown near McDuff.

www.crru.org.uk.

Last season I had a little box fish, which looks like a puffer, living in the outboard well of my Hurley 22. The family was most upset when I had to evict him.

Saw the first of the season's harbour porpoises last weekend. Pod of around eight just South of Wee Cumbrae in the Clyde.