gilthead sea bream

[cobh-skipper]

came accross this article in the marine times, taught it might be of interest




Cathal McGowan with the Gilthead Sea Bream.

Prior to 2003, the Gilthead Sea Bream was considered to be an extremely rare fish in Irish waters. Indeed, there were only two previously known records: Bantry, 1897 and Ardmore, Co. Waterford, April 1972. However, during August 2003, 45 juvenile specimens (<10cm) were captured at Ballymacoda, Co. Cork during the course of a juvenile bass survey. In September, 2003, two more juveniles were taken at Ventry, Co. Kerry during the course of a juvenile flatfish survey. During the same month, an adult specimen (c1kg) was captured by an angler in Cork Harbour. The current specimen represents the first record from Co. Donegal and greatly extends the known range of the species in Irish waters.

It is also interesting to note that large numbers of juvenile Gilthead Sea Bream have been taken during the course of juvenile bass surveys in the English Channel since 2001. Prior to the late 1960's the species was regarded as rare in UK waters, but since then adult specimens have been taken with increasing frequency by both anglers and commercial fishermen, not only in the English Channel, but as far north as Scotland.

The Gilthead Sea Bream is primarily a sub-tropical species which is common southwards from Biscay to the Cape Verde and Canary Islands, including the Mediterranean Sea where it is an important aquaculture species. It is a shallow-water species, inhabiting sea grass beds as well as sandy and muddy areas down to 30m. Juveniles commonly frequent inshore lagoons and brackish water areas. Its food is heavily biased in favour of molluscs, especially mussels, oysters and crustaceans and it can be a pest to shellfish culture. The species can grow to a relatively large size: 17.2kg and 70cm and is known to live for up to 11 years. During 1995, a specimen weighing 4.692kg was captured by an angler in the Salcombe Estuary, Devon (UK Rod & Line Record). The largest specimen taken on rod & line, weighing 7.36kg, was captured in the Florn Estuary (France) during October 2000 (IGFA World Record).

Declan would like to hear from anglers and commercial fishermen who catch any unusual fish in Irish waters: Mobile 087-9080521; Email: declanquigley@eircom.net.


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[the poacher]

hi dec
cought about 50 g.h.s/bream last summer up to 5LBs on cunnigar beach outside dungarvan/Waterford
onlugs.
small ones pests at times
pals also cought them
have some pics. of 3LBer
best fighting fish ever hooked 5LBer fights like 10LB salmon
bass netters also cought them
cought small orange/red fish like john dorey???
also cought golden gray mullet have pics.

[poacher]

hi dec
cought about 50 g.h.s/bream last summer up to 5LBs on cunnigar beach outside dungarvan/Waterford
onlugs.
small ones pests at times
pals also cought them
have some pics. of 3LBer
best fighting fish ever hooked 5LBer fights like 10LB salmon
bass netters also cought them
cought small orange/red fish like john dorey???
also cought golden gray mulle
t have pics.

26/6/05
2 1LBs g.h.s.b. on connigar beach
24/4/05 2 lbS GOLDEN GRAY MULLET SAME PLACE

[Rarefish]

Hi Poacher,

Just saw your reply..thanks.

I'd be interested in seeing your pics of GHSB and Golden Grey Mullet. Do you have any pics of the "Red Dories" ? Sounds like Boar Fish (Capros asper).

Rarefish
087-9080521

[Tanglerat]

'ere, wait a mo,

bass netters also cought them

I thought Bass were a protected sports fish in Ireland? Bag limits, no commercial netting etc etc?

Or can they be neted for personal use?

:?

[MAC]

See my other posts on the area Tanglerat.... This area is being netted often and there are illegal long lines laid for Bass as well.

Kev