02.05.07
Unusual fish sightings in Cornwall

When two children found an unusual fish on Treyarnon Bay, near Padstow, recently, lecturers at Cornwall College Newquay and the National Marine Aquarium were called to investigate what it was and how it got there.

Christopher and Morwenna Smart were walking their dog when they found the fish in the strandline, among a smack of By-the-wind-sailor jellyfish. "At first I thought it was a plastic toy fish, but then realised it was real and so we carried it home in an old fishbox we found," said Christopher. "It was a really beautiful fish, blue, silver and white with a green stripe through its eye and quite different from fish we normally see round here."

Morwenna added: "It was quite hard to keep the dog from trying to eat it. When we got it home we put it in the fridge!"

Axel Bamberger, Programme Manager for the Marine Aquaculture Foundation Degree at Cornwall College Newquay, said: "The fish found by Christopher and Morwenna was an Oceanic Puffer fish, which is more commonly found in Mediterranean waters. There were a few reports of this fish found in Cornwall last year, which might indicate a changing circulatory pattern. Coincidently, lots of By-the-wind-sailor jellyfish (velella velella), another species which likes the warm surface water of the open ocean, were washed up on Cornish beaches last winter."

The Oceanic Puffer fish was sent to Doug Herdson at the National Marine Aquarium in Plymouth for further investigation. "These Oceanic Puffer fish are open water animals and turn up occasionally in British waters, usually one every two to five years in Cornwall, according to the records in the UK Marine Fish Recording Scheme, managed by the National Marine Aquarium. However, one was found at Mevagissey two years ago and three more along the South coast of Cornwall since June last year, as well as two on the Irish coast."

Other recent sightings have included a Boar fish on the beach in Mounts Bay. Cornwall College Newquay lecturer Colin Pringle said: "This is a small red and yellow fish that is normally found in 100m of water on the edge of the Continental Shelf and is rarely seen. The last time a Boar fish was recorded in Mounts Bay was in 1896."

Colin continues: "In combination with the reports of specifically warm water fish including the Puffer fish and By-the-wind-sailor jellyfish, this does imply significant climate changes."

John Latham, Principal of Cornwall College said: "The Puffer fish was a great find and Cornwall College Newquay was delighted to help in the identification process."

Anyone finding any other unusual, or other uncommon fish should contact Doug Herdson at the National Marine Aquarium on 01752 275216 or Douglas.Herdson@national-aquarium.co.uk.

For further information please contact Kerry Trevenna on 01637 857928 or email kerry.trevenna@conrwall.ac.uk.

The Objective One Programme for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly has invested in the Combined Universities in Cornwall (CUC) project, both Phase 1 and Phase 2, through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the European Social Fund (ESF). Cornwall College Newquay is a partner of the CUC.

Editor's notes:

Cornwall College is the largest college in the UK with over 45,000 students.

Cornwall College has seven campuses in Cornwall, these are: Camborne, St Austell, Saltash, Newquay, Duchy College Rosewarne, Duchy College Stoke Climsland and Falmouth Marine School.

University courses are approved by the University of Plymouth.

Cornwall College is a partner in the Combined Universities in Cornwall initiative, which is part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund.

Clare Morgan
Media Relations Manager
Objective One Partnership Office
Castle House
Pydar Street
Truro TR1 2UD
Mobile: 07973 813647
Telephone: 01872 223439

cmorgan@cornwall.gov.uk

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