ANGLING NOTES:VERY little is known about the migration and diving behaviour of porbeagle sharks (Lamna nasus) in the northeast Atlantic, according to Dr Ryan Saunders of the Marine Institute (MI), Oranmore, Co Galway.
Like most pelagic sharks, the porbeagle is vulnerable to commercial fishing pressure, slow growth rate and complicated reproductive cycle. And, due to a lack of information on its ecology, there is no protective legislation in place for the species.
In an effort to track their movement patterns, scientists from the MI in conjunction with anglers, are hoping to tag large adult females using pop-up satellite tags to establish their birthing grounds.
Tags are fitted to the back of the shark and collect information on location and depth distribution, together with environmental data. After nine months the tags emerge to the surface and transmit data to polar-orbiting satellites.
A pilot tag scheme deployed off Downings, Donegal in 2008 on three porbeagles proved highly successful. The results showed their diving behaviour is linked to the day-night cycle and monthly lunar cycle.
One juvenile male travelled more than 2,400km to the Portuguese island of Madeira, off the west coast of Morocco, during winter, while a second migrated to the Bay of Biscay, which has an abundance of species such as the albacore tuna (Thunnus alalunga).
The MI is working with the Irish Elasmobranch Group (IEG), French Research Institute for Exploration of the Seas and the Association for Conservation of Sharks to raise funds for the project that is scheduled to end in 2011.
Dr Edward Farrell of IEG, said: “Pelagic sharks have received much global attention recently. Given the increasing pressures that threaten their survival, there is a pressing need for new research to underpin effective management measures.”
- The fish, measuring 2.3m in length, was tagged and released as part of the conservation policy administered by the Central Fisheries Board. Throughout the day, the group landed a further four shark.
- Last Monday, the Loughs Agency was alerted to a pollution incident on Ashlisk River at Corryglass Road, Fintona, Co Tyrone. Statutory samples were taken and aeration equipment deployed to re- oxygenate the water but pollution continued to kill fish downstream into the Owenreagh River.
The pollution has now reached the Drumragh River at Ballyhatty and fish continue to die. Investigations are ongoing. For further details, contact John McCartney at 077-36374134.
- Former Commander in the Irish Navy Richie Ryan has recently taken delivery of Ireland's only licensed saltwater fly fishing boat. Working out of Cork Harbour, his Éire Basscraft is insured for three persons and will target bass and sea trout.
“However, we should never underestimate the humble pollack or mullet, mackerel and bream,” he said. Tuition is available and all equipment can be supplied. Ryan can be contacted at 086-1940744; info@corkbass.com .
- Lough Melvin in the northern region stepped up to the mark last week with big catches of sonaghan and gillaroo trout, and grilse. “It was as if somebody pulled a lever and switched on the salmon and trout,” said fisheries officer Lindsey Clarke.
Eight Welsh visitors fishing out of Rossinver caught and returned 83 sonaghan for one days fishing, and Francis McSharry and Jim Connelly recorded 65 sonaghan, mostly over deep water drifts.
The gillaroo were responsive too. On Monday, Lindsey Clarke and his father caught 17 trout, made up of one sonaghan and 16 gillaroo, all to wet fly.
Kinlough Anglers held the O’Connor Cup Competition out of Breffni Pier on Sunday and fishing proved harder than during the week with just 13 brown trout for 24 competitors.
Trolling Green and Gold Toby lures accounted for the majority of the 29 grilse recorded on Melvin.