The Bristol Channel
The Bristol Channel is home to the second highest rise and
fall of the tide in the world, over 42 feet (13m) at Avonmouth. The waters are
mainly shallow with the deepest parts only about 150 feet . The physical
shape of the Bristol Channel resembles a crooked funnel. The gradual reduction
of the width of the channel results in a tidal surge on each making tide called
the ‘Severn-Bore’. This can be seen in the higher reaches of the channel
from around Sharpness upwards, most spectacularly on spring tides. The equinoxal
springs in March and September regularly attract surfers, canoeists and other
rafters who try to ride the massive tidal-wave up the River Severn.
The upper reaches of the channel/River Severn estuary,
feature huge shifting sand banks. There is a large commercial sand dredging
operation, supplying the construction industry with various sands and
aggregates. Many rivers spill into the Bristol Channel, bringing with them
millions of tonnes of suspended particles of earth, mud and sand. It is this
that gives the waters their characteristic chocolate colour. The fast moving
waters scour the seabed keeping the sediments in suspension. It is not until you
get to the lower reaches of the channel where it meets The Irish Sea, and The
Atlantic Ocean, do you see the waters clearing to their more usual blue/green.
Here the less turbulent water allows the suspended particles to drop to the
bottom.
The coloured water of the higher reaches mean that fish
find their food by scent. Whereas some fish are only caught at night on many
venues around the country, those species can be caught almost anytime in the
Bristol Channel, Sole being a prime example.
The clearer waters to the west allow the sight feeders,
Pollack, Wrasse and Mackerel for instance to thrive.
In summer, the reduction of
flood waters from the rivers also reduces the colouration. Whereas in
winter the clear waters don’t really start until well west of Combe Martin, in
summer clearer water commences at about Hurlestone Point between Minehead and
Porlock. This in turn allows shoals of Mackerel to venture well up the channel.
Following the Mackerel come the larger predators like Tope. In recent years the
Tope fishing has been phenomenal
during the spring and summer.
For the greatest numbers of species, the late summer ( late
August/September/early October), is best. The waters are warm, having brought
the sub-tropical species such as Black-Bream and Trigger-Fish, with them, and
the winter Whiting and Cod start to migrate back up the Channel from the Irish
Sea. It is a regular occurrence to capture 15 or more species in a day, of
course, if you fish for them!
The Bristol Channel fishery is also incredibly fickle. The catch in one place on one day can be the total opposite the next day. I think the Charter Boat skippers favourite saying “You should have been here yesterday”, actually originated in the Bristol Channel!
Mini Species/Specimens/Record Fish/Unusual/Rare species...
Weighing a fish accurately is most important. Identifying it equally so. Use certified scales and record all the details of where your fish was captured. Photograph it if you can. Get someone to witness the fish, and don't forget to include their details with any claim for a record. Most shopkeepers would willingly weigh the fish, if for no other reason than the publicity.
Identification could cause more of a problem however. If the fish is small enough, then freeze it for later examination. Again get good quality photographs. Contact your clubs fish recorder if you are in a club, or BCFSA Fish recorder on 01275-872101.
Then contact Geoffrey Potts or Silja Swaby at:-
Marine Biologists, Marine & Estuarine Fish Advisory Service, Higher Brooklands, Callington, Cornwall. PL17 8JN
or telephone them on:- 01822 - 832753 or email at britfish@which.net
This is now the focal point for fish records and the tool for the abundance of uncommon species due to environmental change.
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