Hi everyone;
After introducing myself in my previous post, I come back on the fishing sampling that I described in my earlier posts. Prior to the previous sampling there was a heat wave. Since then weather has changed it became colder, with a lot of rain and a storm (Francis) past by.
Heading towards the first tow, with far in the distance the offshore wind farm
This changed the current sampling conditions, on to of that it was high low tide. Meaning the waterlevel was higher than during previous sampling activities and the banks were hardly visible. We used to fish from the seaside of the banks, against the rip current into the emptying channel at low tide. This time we were unable to see the banks or the rip current. Owing to the storm the opening between the banks, were the rip current is, had moved northwards for a couple of hundred meters. Indicating that large amount of sand had moved naturally.
The catch was this time smaller than in the previous sampling, but the species were similar. And again we did not catch the target species plaice, it looks as if these have moved to deeper water.
Again a lot of juvenile sea bass
But we did catch other flatfish as flounder and as seen in the picture below turbot.
Turbot, or is it brill, who dares to guess the difference in the comments
Next to the catches of fish we also catch small amounts of benthic organisms, like the small hermitcrab (Diogenes pugilator) and Pennant's swimming crab (Portumnus latipes). And of course many common shrimps, but also Pontophilus trispinosus (does any of you know the English name?).
Portumnus latipes
While waiting for the catch to come out of the water I was enjoying the beach at low tide. Trying to photograph the tubes of sand mason worm (Lanice conchilega) in lowering water, and the invasive warty comb jelly (Mnemiopsis leidyi)
Lanice conchilega
Mnemiopsis leidyi
We are planning to sample the beach an other three to four times in the next weeks. So possibly, I'll be able to provide an update than.
If you are interested, you are always welcome to ask any question!!
Enjoy the day!