are there turtles about

[seanie35]

was out in a boat yesterday evening and as we drifted over some shallow mixed ground me and skipper spotted what looked like a large turtle on the bottom of a clear patch, depth was only about 12ft and we were drifting fairly fast so didnt get a long look is it possible or anyone got similar experience of turtles in shallow water

[twinkle]

has to be 20yrs since i seen a turtle. we were on a charter out of kilmore nice calm day.suddenly about 15yrds from the boat a huge e.t head came up out of the water. surfced and dived back down again.the skipper said they see them once every 10 yrs if there lucky.

[seanie35]

has to be 20yrs since i seen a turtle. we were on a charter out of kilmore nice calm day.suddenly about 15yrds from the boat a huge e.t head came up out of the water. surfced and dived back down again.the skipper said they see them once every 10 yrs if there lucky.

great to see one if it was one i aint 100% though cause we drifted fairly fast over it and we were about 200 yards from land. were ye far out the day you seen it

[twinkle]

at the back of the saltees was with paul bates. he said they are regular visitors you just dont see them much as there very shy and dive if you try to get close. seen one dead washed up on tom haggards [white hole] huge beast a guy came down and started cutting away the shell.[ smart man] wasent until i was older did i realize how valuable turle shell is not to mention giant turtle. they will sometimes show up in trawler nets and are cut free. but dont always survive the expireance

[JimC]

Saw a huge one a few years back.
There was a big swell on the day and we could see it for ages plodding along. I'd say the gulf stream has a lot to do with them being around.

[Rampent Wreckfish]

I have seen two between Helvick head and mine head within a couple of miles of the shore.

It was a good few years ago though. Looked like Leatherbacks.

[seanie35]

I have seen two between Helvick head and mine head within a couple of miles of the shore.

It was a good few years ago though. Looked like Leatherbacks.

this was about the size of 2 bags of spuds, opposite ballinacourty, had to blink a few times

[Rampent Wreckfish]

I have seen two between Helvick head and mine head within a couple of miles of the shore.

It was a good few years ago though. Looked like Leatherbacks.

this was about the size of 2 bags of spuds, opposite ballinacourty, had to blink a few times

If it was on the bottom it could have been a big stingray or electric ray. They have both been recorded inside dungarvan harbour.

[jw]

a loggerhead ended up on a west clare beach in december, so anything is possible

http://www.sea-angling-ireland.org/bull ... le#p195149

[seanie35]

I have seen two between Helvick head and mine head within a couple of miles of the shore.

It was a good few years ago though. Looked like Leatherbacks.

this was about the size of 2 bags of spuds, opposite ballinacourty, had to blink a few times

If it was on the bottom it could have been a big stingray or electric ray. They have both been recorded inside dungarvan harbour.

na it was definatly the profile of a large turtle either that or strangely formed rock

[johnfish]

leatherbacks are found around irish coasts every summer part of there regular migration following jellyfish

[twinkle]

leatherbacks are found around irish coasts every summer part of there regular migration following jellyfish

HOPE THEY MAKE IT UP TO DUBLIN BAY THE PLACE IS ALIVE WITH JELLYFISH

[saving private brian]

there definitely out there.i seen a massive leather back turtle one day while out fishing on the surface

[petekd]

Fairly sure I spotted one about 4 years ago at the mouth of Cork harbour. Didnt pay much heed to it at the time, was in a new boat and busy being throttle happy.

[Davy Murdoch]

Saw a leatherback while fishing from Baltimore about 9 years ago,very cool...
There was one found in/around Strangford lough a few years ago.Its shell is now on show at Exploris..

[seanie35]

thanks for the replys lads still fairly sketchy info i wouldnt be massively surprised to see one a good bit out off the coast its the shallow water got me stumped abit cheers

[declan65]

Sean,
Colleague of mine from National parks and wildlife gave me this link...http://www.npws.ie/en/media/Media,5314,en.pdf seems like leatherbacks are pretty common in shallow waters
Dec

[seanie35]

Sean,
Colleague of mine from National parks and wildlife gave me this link...http://www.npws.ie/en/media/Media,5314,en.pdf seems like leatherbacks are pretty common in shallow waters
Dec

great info cheers dec