Shark filmed in the Stour

I like how at the end of an article about how "unusual" and "amazing" it was, the guy from the Essex wildlife trust nonchalantly says that they are "widely distributed around the UK and are pretty common along the Essex coast".
 
I like how at the end of an article about how "unusual" and "amazing" it was, the guy from the Essex wildlife trust nonchalantly says that they are "widely distributed around the UK and are pretty common along the Essex coast".
They are common though. only amazing or surprise if you havnt seen one before. I cant see why it was a news item. But then there is so much other BS in the new this makes a nice change.
 
Picture taken a few years ago of a seal basking on the weir gate at Allington lock.
Seals are now frequently spotted above Rochester bridge in the town centre.
Small population taken up residence at the far end of Sharfleet, about half dozen, including a pup or two last week.
 
Aren't these actually very common? Fisherman on N.Kent coast used to catch loads of them, known locally as dog-fish, fish'n'chip shops cooked tham as 'rock salmon'??
i.e. not news at all.
 
Aren't these actually very common? Fisherman on N.Kent coast used to catch loads of them, known locally as dog-fish, fish'n'chip shops cooked tham as 'rock salmon'??
i.e. not news at all.
I think it's finding one so far inland that's unusual. As you say, they aren't rare, and prey on crabs and similar hard-shelled animals - they have grinding teeth, not sharp pointy ones.
 
Aren't these actually very common? Fisherman on N.Kent coast used to catch loads of them, known locally as dog-fish, fish'n'chip shops cooked tham as 'rock salmon'??
i.e. not news at all.
Quite a different species to the dogfish, these prey on fish such as herring and mackerel, the smooth hound mainly feeds on crabs and other crustaceans as already stated. Mind you the Kentish fisherman are not necessarily accurate in their naming! Wiki is your friend .:)
 
Quite a different species to the dogfish, these prey on fish such as herring and mackerel, the smooth hound mainly feeds on crabs and other crustaceans as already stated. Mind you the Kentish fisherman are not necessarily accurate in their naming! Wiki is your friend .:)
What the BBC showed in the film is what they used to (still?) catch over here. Smoothhound = dogfish here I think! The names suggest that, after all.
 
What the BBC showed in the film is what they used to (still?) catch over here. Smoothhound = dogfish here I think! The names suggest that, after all.

Around here, Smoothounds are not Dogfish. Smoothounds are bigger. What we call "Dogfish" are actually Catfish !

Small-spotted catshark - Wikipedia

The waters around here are usually full of them, anglers generally moan about them, because they keep taking the bait that's intended for larger species. They make a very decent fish curry :)

Rock Salmon were traditionally Spur Dogs. When they were fished to near extinction they served up Bull Huss, then Smoothounds. It's anyone's guess what you'd get if you ordered it nowadays.
 
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