British Marine Wildlife Headlines. Reports of newsworthy marine animals discovered in the seas and on the shore around the British Isles. Reports of pollution incidents etc.
 

• Wildlife News: Latest 1998

• Latest News 1997

• This link includes News since August 1997

• Diary

• International Marine News

This is a very limited service. Links to other sites producing marine news from the oceans of the world will be included when known.

• Articles in other Journals

References only. The entries are listed in chronological order, the most recent first, from 1997 only.

• 15 August 1997. An oil slick from a leaking MOD pipeline has caused a lot of mess on The Gosport side of Portsmouth harbour. There are no reports of wildlife casualties.

• June 1997. A Tope with an estimated weight in excess of 42 kg (93 lb) was caught by Margaret Tuckwell whilst fishing off Selsey Bill, Sussex, at a mark known as the Mixon Hole, which is popular with divers. This weight would have been a world record if the shark had been landed alive and weighed, but this specimen was returned to the sea, The current rod and line record of Galeorhinus galeus, is 37.4 kg (82 lb 8 oz) for a Tope caught off Bradwell-on-Sea, Essex, (southern North Sea) in 1991, with another large fish caught in the same area in 1986. Tope are not very common in the English Channel and most specimens are caught in the summer months. The sharks migrate in from more southerly seas. The Tope caught at Selsey was 198 cm long and 78 cm in girth.
• The weight has since be revised to an estimate of 35 kg.

Capt. Tom's Guide to New England Sharks, USA

• June 1997. The continual rainfall and bad weather all around the British Isles during June 1997 means that there were very few rock pool reports for this month.

• June 1997. Severe gales and heavy rainfall at the end of June 1997 has resulted in a massive loss of sea bird chicks off the east coast of England. At Bempton Cliffs, Yorkshire, over 100,000 young Kittiwakes, out of a population of 130,000 - 150,000, perished after five days of gales. On the Farne Islands, many young Puffins drowned in their burrows. and the loss of Puffin and Guillemot chicks is estimated at 75% of the large populations. (Source: Birds, the magazine of the RSPB).

• 19 May 1997. The Bottle-nosed Dolphin that was first seen in the River Medway, north Kent, at Rochester Bridge, in November 1996, has migrated down to the estuary. It was sighted in deep water off the jetties at Sheerness Docks on 10 May 1997. This week it was sighted regularly from Sheerness and seems to go up and down the river with the tide. Report from Bryan Vallance (Gillingham).

• May 1997. A Smoothhound, Mustelus sp.,with an estimated weight of 15 kg was caught off Aberthaw, Wales. It was 127 cm long. The current rod and line record is under 13 kg. This genus of sharks is commoner in more southerly seas. Two species are found in British seas and even larger specimens may turn up.

• 7 May 1997. Tony Blair, the new Prime Minister of the UK (Labour party), announces his new Fisheries Team at the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (MAFF). Jack Cunningham, MP (Labour party) for Copeland in Cumbria, is the new Minister. The Scottish Fisheries Minister is Lord Sewell, a Life Baron in the House of Lords. The Fisheries Junior Minister at MAFF is Elliott Morley, MP for Scunthorpe. The second in command at MAFF is Jeff Booker, MP for Birmingham Perry Barr.

• 7 May 1997. The new Minister for the Environment is the Rt. Hon. Michael Meacher MP. A Junior Minister is Angela Eagle MP.

• 23 April 1997. Martyn McDonald landed a Tadpole Fish, Raniceps raninus, on rod and line using a lugworm bait from the harbour arm at Newhaven, east of Brighton, East Sussex. The fish was a fully grown adult fish about 28 cm long and weighed 0.7 kg (1 lb 8 oz). There are no BMLSS records of this fish being caught from the shore off Sussex. The fish was dark brown with a white band half-way down its back.
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• The fish is recorded as widespread and found all around the British coast, but is a solitary and uncommon fish. The fish may be put on display at the Booth Museum of Natural History, Brighton. It may also be verified as the largest shore caught specimen on rod and line. Andy Horton has seen a live specimen at the Cullercoats Marine Laboratory Aquarium, near Newcastle-on-Tyne.

• 18 April 1997. The new Macduff Marine Aquarium is opend to the public on the south coast of the Moray Firth. This Aquarium is devoted to British marine life with a large Kelp Forest tank which is open to the elements. Macduff is near the fishing port of Banff. Tel: 01261 833369.

• 15 April 1997. The European Fisheries Ministries in Luxembourg voted for a 30% reduction in fishing in European waters implemented over the next 5 years. The reduction applies to vessels over 10 metres in length. Tony Baldry, Fisheries Minister stated that 'The UK will not implement these measures until the quota-hopping issue is sorted out at the International Governmental Conference'. Professor Alistair McIntyre (Aberdeen) stated 'It was a very good step forward. It was high time that the fishing pressure was reduced, and it would be good for the fishing industry in the long term'. (Information from BBC1 News). There are also restrictions on mesh sizes of nets which will affect French fishermen. 

• MAGP Deal 1997. The stocks are classified in the fishing areas as follows: DR = seriously depleted, 30% cut in effort, OF = overfished, 20% cut in effort. FE = fully exploited, no reduction in effort required. [e.g North Sea (Area IV) DR stocks = cod, plaice, herring, sole and mackerel. OF stocks = haddock, coley and hake. FE stocks = prawns and whiting. (Source: Fishing News).]

• 31 March 1997. A 30 tonne oil slick was washed up on the shores of the Isles of Scilly from a ship that ran aground a week ago. The first oil was discovered around Porth Hellick on the eastern side of the largest island of St. Mary's. Porth Hellick is a sandy bay surrounded by rocky areas. When the oil seeps into the sand it will be cleared up by removing the sand and oil. There is more fuel oil on the container ship and attempts are planned to pump the oil on to a barge.

• 31 March 1997. The Sperm Whale that swam into the Firth or Forth is found dead on mudflats. The prognosis was never very good, with almost all these whales that venture into shallow waters will eventually die shortly afterwards. See further information below. From 5 May 1997, the skull of this whale will be displayed at Edinburgh Museum.

• 28 March 1997. The New London Aquarium on the South Bank, Westminster, near the Houses of Parliament, opened to the public. It is situated in the former GLC headquarters.

• 24 March 1997. The Sperm Whale has not been sighted in the Firth of Forth despite calm weather.
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• 21 March 1997. A 13 metre long Sperm Whale, Physeter macrocephalus, ventured too far up the Forth of Firth and appears to be unable to escape from the shallow water by its own efforts. Three more whales are on the seaward side of the Forth Bridges. As rescue is being planned, but the whale is still there in the afternoon of 23 March 1997. NB. Sperm Whales have become trapped in enclosed or shallow waters around the British Isles lots of times in the last few years and individual cases have not been included in the News Reports prior to 1997 when this Web Site started. Notably a large pod were trapped inside Scapa Flow a few years ago and there have been a surprisingly large number of reports from North Sea coasts. For more information the Sea Watch Foundation, previously the European Cetacean Society may be able to help. Important telephone numbers are included on the Stranded Cetaceans link

• 7 March 1997. A dolphin has been washed up dead at Telscombe Cliffs, a few miles east of Brighton, Sussex. This is an unusual occurence this far east up the English Channel. On 5 March 1997, a very small Sunfish, Mola mola, measuring only about 50 cm x 50 cm, was reported by Jon Makeham from Looe, Cornwall., washed up dead and already scavenged. Large Sunfish are usually reported in summer and small ones occasionally, notably off west Scotland.
• Steve Savage was unable to confirm the stranded Common Dolphin, reported by telephone by the EA (NRA).

• A half-mile long oil slick was washed up in patches and globules of oil onto Bracklesham Bay, Beach, West Sussex, south of Chichester, on 2 March 1997. Initially, there were no reports of oiled birds.

• On 24 February 1997, a dolphin, probably a Common Dolphin was washed up dead on the shore at Hayling Island, Hampshire, east of the Isle of Wight, after a week of gales. (see notes below on Cornish dolphins).

• Stranded Cetaceans: Report Telephone Numbers

• On 15 February 1997, a small 10 cm Triggerfish, Balistes capriscus, was discovered by Jon Makeham, in fishing nets in Looe Harbour. This is a very early record of a Triggerfish. In the last decade adult fish have been regularly caught by anglers and fishermen and seen by divers in Cornish waters and in Lyme Bay, Dorset during the summer and autumn. However, this is the first record of a young specimen caught in winter.

• Rare Fish 

• On 14 February 1997, William Falla, caught a Sea Horse. Hippocampus hippocampus, at a depth of about 55 metres south of St. Martins Point, Guernsey. This specimen was recovered alive and housed in an aquarium. Reports are so regular that a separate file on this web site will be created in March 1997.

• Sea Horses

• On 13 February 1997 a female Sea Horse, Hippocampus hippocampus, was caught by Mark Blondel fishing for spider crabs in 60 metres (200 ft) 8 to 10 miles SE of St. Martins Point, Guernsey. See other reports of sea horses in Channel Islands seas below.

• From 10 February 1997, over 200 oiled birds have been washed up on a 60 mile stretch of the Sussex shore between Selsey Bill in the west and Hastings in the west.The birds were mostly diving species including Guillemots. They were covered in heavy oil believed to be discharged illegally by a merchant ship under cover of bad weather. Clive Pepe (RORE) reports a film of oil on Rottingdean beach.
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• 18 January 1997. A male Tope that was tagged on 17 July 1994 off the Isle of Tiree, west Scotland (Inner Hebrides, west of Mull), was captured off the SE of Iceland in 220 metres of water by an Icelandic trawler in the Sidugrunn area. Information from the West of Scotland Tope and Common Skate Web site. Access is through the index on BMLSS (Facebook).
• BMLSS Scotland
• Tagging and Conservation Index (Scottish Site)

• An oil slick of about 2,000 gallons was washed ashore at East Looe beach and has seriously polluted the shore with a large mortality of limpets. This was first noticed by John Makeham on the 25th January 1997. Hannafore Beach at West Looe was not seriously effected although there was oil on the strandline. A one eyed Grey Seal continues to visit Looe during the early months of the year. 

• 26 dolphins and porpoises were washed up dead on the shores of Cornwall during January 1997. Many show signs of being injured by fishing nets, not by the locals, but by large trawlers fishing much further out to sea. One specimen identified as a Common Dolphin was washed up at Looe on the 20th January.

• A Common Dolphin, Delphinus delphis, was trapped in Emsworth Harbour, West Sussex on 10 January 1997. Southern Marine Life Rescue (Andy Williams) and RSPB attended. The dolphin was swimming around in circles and appeared ill or injured. This species is seen in the summer months of the Dorset coast but is uncommon as far east as Sussex. On Saturday 11 January 1997, the dolphin was rescued but died immediately after being captured. 

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• A sea slug, Tylodina perversa, was found at Hannafore, Looe in December 1996 by Jon Makeham. This is the first record in the British Isles of this Mediterranean species. The specimen description has satisfied the experts. In March 1997, Jon Makeham discovered a further specimen. More information available. Please request by EMail.
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• 6 December 1996
• Four Fin Whales seen off Cape Cornwall, inside the Brisons Rocks SW344314
• Cornish Marine Life Records (Ray Dennis) 1996.

• A Moray Eel, Muraena helena, was caught in parlour pot (creel) just north of Herm, Channel Islands (English Channel) on 3 October 1996. It is very rare in English Channel with perhaps 6 records in 100 years. More information held. It was put on display in Guernsey Aquarium.
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• October 1996.
• A Leatherback Turtle, Dermochelys coriacea, is washed up dead on the Orkney island of Sanday.

• A Swordfish, Xiphias gladius, was spotted in the Forth of Lorne, west Scotland, in September 1996. The two metre long fish jumped out of the water. It is very rare in British seas. Report by Andrew Johnson. More .
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• 4 September 1996
• The discovery of the Beluga Whale, Delphinapterus leucas, swimming in Hoswick Bay (near Sandwick) late in the afternoon was a first for the Shetland Islands. The species is very distinctive being almost entirely white in colour and lacking any dorsal (back) fin.
• Photographs and Full Report (Shetland Isles Wildlife)
• September 1996:  A Fraser's Dolphin, Lagenodelphis hosei, is washed up dead on the coast of South Uist, Outer Hebrides. The identification has been confirmed by the Natural History Museum, London (December 1998).

Stranded Whales & Dolphin Report Numbers

• The alien seaweed Japanese Kelp, or Wakame, Undaria pinnatifida, was discovered by Dr Bob Fletcher (University of Portsmouth) on pontoons in Southampton Water in the summer of 1996. More information held.
• Further Information (from Belgium)
• JNCC Marine Alien Species

• A Grey Seal, Halichoerus grypus, hauled up on the footbridge supports in Shoreham-by-Sea town centre in Sussex in July 1996. It was well off its beaten track where Common Seals, Phoca vitulina, are vagrants and Grey Seals unheard of..
• Adur Estuary
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• Photograph by Steve Savage (Portslade)

• An Atlantic Bonito, Sarda sarda, was caught by angler of the Marloes peninsula, S W Wales in July 1996. It was only the eighth confirmed record from Wales this century. Report by Kate Lock. More.

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• A Comber, Serranus cabrilla, was captured in a crab pot in June 1996 off Cornwall, and put on display at Mevagissey Aquarium (closed for the winter). It is very rarely caught in British seas, but a breeding population could exist in the English Channel as this was a young specimen. More.
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• May 1996.
• A species of Cusk-Eel, Lamprogrammus sccherbachevi, a deep water fish from the family Ophidiidae is brought up from deep water 80 miles west of the Isle of Lewis, in the Atlantic Ocean. This is only the fifth specimen ever recorded. This family of fish normally inhabits the Continental Slope (slope from the Continental Shelf to the Abyssal Plain).

• On 15 February 1996 the Sea Empress grounded at the entrance to Milford Haven, SW Wales. The next week resulted in a disastrous spill of 73,000 tonnes into the rich and varied marine environment.

• Sea Empress Diary 
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• On 30 January 1996, a Short-nosed Sea Horse, Hippocampus hippocampus, was caught by an Alderney fisherman in a lobster trap. This is the rarer of two seahorses recorded in the English Channel (see news below) and is caught with some frequency in deep water (over 30 metres) around the Channel Islands. One individual was caught off Jersey a week before, and another one just before Christmas off Alderney. There are 13 records from off Jersey for 1995. The latest specimen was returned to the sea. Information from Richard Lord (Guernsey). More information held. 

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• October 1995
• A Moonfish, or Torsk, Brosme brosme, is found dead on an Orkney beach. This species is fished extensively by the Norwegians and is perhaps common in these northern seas.
• Norwegian Marine *** contains a photographic portrait of this fish.
• A male Leatherback Turtle, Dermochelys coriacea, is landed by an Isle of Skye fisherman in Aros Bay, Uig. It is over 2 metres long.

• At least five specimens of the Sea Horse, Hippocampus guttulatus (=H. ramulosus), were captured in Weymouth Bay, Dorset, by a fishing boat obtaining specimens for the Sea Life Centres in September 1995.
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• Records of this small fish in the English Channel on the British side are very rare. A few years before a specimen was discovered in a rock pool in the Fal estuary, Cornwall. They were recorded in Victorian times. It is debatable whether they breed in British seas. More information held.
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• 1995.  The seas of the coast of Norway were exceptionally warm and several Triggerfish, Balistes capriscus,  were caught, possibly for the first time.
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• 3 September 1995 There was a radio news report of a Sailfin Dory, Zenopsis conchifer,  being caught off the south coast. This fish is a poor swimmer and normally lives off the west coast of Africa.

29 August 1995
• The first confirmed British record of the above fish, as described by Swaby & Potts (1999).
• 2002 record of this fish

• The first record in British seas of the Big-eyed Thresher Shark, Alopias superciliosus, came from the largest recorded specimen in the world from the Porcupine Bight in August 1995. The full report by Teresa Thorpe is in the Vernal/Summer 1996 Glaucus.

• In early July 1995 a giant jellyfish was found washed up on the shore outside the Museum of Galloway Life in Gatehouse of Fleet (SW Scotland). It was discovered by Neil Barclay and weighed 9 kg (20 lb). It measured 61 cm (24 in) in diameter. The species was not identified in the report, but it was probably the Lion's Mane Jellyfish, Cyanea capillata. This species is dangerous with numerous stinging cells that can be painful to humans.
• Moon Jellyfish, Aurelia aurita, recorded in Shoreham Harbour, Sussex.


17 March 1995
A North American Lobster was brought up in a pot with a European Lobster 30 miles south of the Isle of Wight by a south Devon boat. It is a berried female and was taken to the Marine Biological Association at Plymouth where it has been put into quarantine until the eggs are hatched and will be put on view to the public in their Aquarium later. The claws are a different shape and reddish on the underside and the rostrum is rather longer than on the European Lobster.
Cornish Marine Life Records (Ray Dennis) 1995

22 January 1995
A Humpback Whale was observed for about one hour, feeding on Mackerel off the Eddystone Lighthouse, an island off south Cornwall.

• Cornish Marine Life Records (Ray Dennis) 1995

• On 24 April 1994, a rare white whale was spotted in the sea to the east of the Isle of Skye. This whale was believed to be the Beluga Whale, Delphinapterus leucas.
• 1977  Hydrothermal Vents eco-system discovered in the deep sea Atlantic Ocean.

• The Autumn/Winter 1996 Glaucus contains features on the Lesser Octopus, Diving in Ireland and Sussex, The Educational Marine Aquarium, Book and CD-ROM Reviews, Wildlife Reports in full, The Marine Biological Collector and more. See Link for Contents list.

The Vernal/Summer 1996 issue of Glaucus contain extensive coverage of the Sea Empress Disaster in February of 1996. Wildlife Reports include a feature on Feather Stars, a Lobster's Meal Time, Rockpooling on Gelliswick Bay, and Cushion Stars.

Cornish Marine Life Records (Ray Dennis) 1993
Cornish Marine Life Records (Ray Dennis) 1994
Cornish Marine Life Records (Ray Dennis) 1995
Cornish Marine Life Records (Ray Dennis) 1996
Cornish Marine Life Records (Ray Dennis) 1997