” Cracking catch for Young Ben Lowe” … the Newquay Voice Sport Fishing artcle this week by Roy.
Ben managed to bag himself an almighty 4lb and 9oz Tub Gurnard at his secret location , just off Newquay Harbour. At only 12 years of age Ben said it put up one heck of a fight but was looking forwrd to having it for his tea. We will be using a recipe from Hugh’s fish fight recipes…
http://www.fishfight.net/recipes/roast-gurnard-fillets-with-roast-potatoes/page:3
Valentine Warner well known celebrity chef and fishing enthusiast tries his luck at catching his supper aboard Atlantic Diver . The Optomen TV Production Company were filming “Coast To Coast” a new cooking series , fishing and cooking the catch as they toured the uk..ranging between Cornwall and Norfolk. His new fishy series starts tonight 24/07/2011 at 8pm on the Good Food Channel and is on every night until 28th July. You can catch more of his TV intro on:
http://uktv.co.uk/food/item/aid/645749/diplayVideo/hi
Check out the video..we’re in it if you don’t blink….Val and his crew were great to work and fish with…it felt like we were having an amazing holiday somewhere exotic…it was Newquay Bay!!…Awesome ” Fish to Dish!”
Cornwall is famous today for its amazingly beautiful and rugged coastline, crystal clear oceans full of spectacular marine wildlife, quaint cornish cottage villages…BUT what about our heritage..what made Cornwall such a prosperous and vibrant county in years gone by?…this is what Chris and I set out to dicover when Cornish Mining World Heritage Site asked us to join them on a familiarisation day….and we thought hmmm our passengers might like to experience this too, particuarly as many of the CMWH sites are either free to visit or have a modest entrance fee and are packed full of interesting information , retaining much of the World’s history. A good reason to visit Cornwall and very attractive activity in these financially challenging times, plus good to do after a Newquay Sea Safari or Newquay Fishing Trip ,so off we went to Wheal Martyn ( an English China Clay Mine near St Austell) and Charlestown, to test it out for you guys!
life is so hard for us Crew!!!
Huge Water Wheels pumped the water and English China Clay sediment out of the pits and along the launders for further processing. Wheal Martyn has the largest working Water Wheel in Cornwall. We imagined the energy and noise as we stood there ,of the water and clay whooshing and crashing along route. The surrounding wooded area is strangely rather beautiful considering this was an industrialised area.
Massive Cornish type ovens called “Dries” were permanently lit to dry out the water logged English China Clay. It was an awesome sight to see how vast this oven was.
After the sediment had been processed and fine English China Clay dried out ,the heavy loads were carried by horse and cart to the local harbour…Charlestown . So off to Charlestown for us to follow the journey along and of course time for tea and chocolate cake .
This next bit is for those of you who caught plenty of Mackerel on our Newquay fishing trips …The vast shoals of Herrings which were caught in the good old days by local Fishermen were taken to huge Herring Presses and weighted down in circular barrels, then huge weights were applied to press the fish ready for packing and transport. The oil that came out ran down the grooves in this building and was then collected in vats and sold as lighting oil……hmmm imagine the smell you came home to when you lit ee lamp in Yer ‘ome cottage like….’ansome…fishy tastic!
Charlestown was where the English China Clay was transported by ships to all parts of the world. It was unique because of the lock gate which was built to retain the water and keep the ships afloat which in turn allowed for the use of these huge Square Riggers. Today Charlestown is the scene for many film sets. It also has the Charlestown Shipwreck Museum which is again a very intersting visit…especially for those intersted in diving and wreckin! We had a superb day..a proper outing and learned all about our Cornish Heritage . Look out for the Cornish Mining World Heritage Site button on our website…click onto it to learn more about it and use the interactive map to plot your route….hope you enjoy.
Inspired by our day ,we will be running a few special events of Marine Wildlife combined with Cornish Mining Heritage Boat trips on Atlantic Diver this summer…viewing the St Agnes Tin Mines from the sea and taking in the spectacular site of the geology and iconic mining engine houses perched on rugged exposed Cornish Cliff tops . Looking forward to it myself..Watch this website for event posting.
P.S cake was indeed ‘ansome!!!
North Cornwall Juvenile Seal Cliff Top Rescue
Saturday night and BDMLR hotline Devon are alerted to the plight of a
Juvenile Grey Seal spotted at a North Cornwall haul out sight . Blue
netting was wrapped around the seal's neck and trailed limply along
its underside. This seal was a juvenile female taggie known to the
medics as a 2011 rehabilitation and release.
Sunday and a team of BDMLR Medics :Simon Bone, Phil Jarvis, Tim Baine,
Paddy Maher, Dave Jarvis, Lesely Jarvis, and Volunteer Climbers: Chris
Howell and Phil Knight all gather at the cliff top location and plan a
rescue of the entangled seal. After successfully descending the steep
cliff face,sadly as they approach across the seal laden beach, the
seal returns to the water at speed.
Monday… a second team are alerted to watch for the seal's return.
BDMLR Medics: Tim Baine, Dave Jarvis, Chris and Annablle Lowe(Atlantic Diver Crew),
Climber Volunteer Phil Knight and Sam Stuart Volunteer Observer and
Photographer.
Eventually the seal returns and settles onto the haul out sight. It is
now evident that the blue netting has further entangled and involves
both fore flippers..help is needed and fast. The team wait patiently
for the tide to drop back to allow more time for the cliff rescue team
to reach the seal BEFORE she has chance to make her escape into the
sea. Sadly as the team muster at the cliff top and with the aid of
members of the public who are observing quietly in support of the
team, the seals spook as two large bull seals rut together and most of
the seals charge into the sea again!! aaaarrrggg!!..
Tuesday…The team are deflated but hope is not lost and Sam Stuart
returns for a cliff side vigil…She is not sighted today.
Wednesday…a member of the public alert the Gweek Seal Sanctuary of a
blue netted seal at the same location….This time the netting is
completely wrapped down the neck, fore flippers and torso of the
helpless seal. She looks like a trussed up Sunday joint..
how very
sad!! Dave Jarvis is contacted who immediately pulls a team together
..BDMLR Medics: Dave Jarvis, Tim Baine, Chris and Annabelle Lowe
advance to the location with climbing kit at the ready.
Tide line is
in a good spot and seals are hauled out and gentlely snoozing in the
mid day sun. The decision is made to act fast and Tim Baine and Chris
Lowe rig up ready for the descent. Again members of the public are
engaged to help the rescue by keeping a low profile at the cliff top
and keeping all noise to a minimum.
The medics slowly and quietly
begin the descent down the rugged cliff face. The seals sleep on
..oblivious to their actions..one false move may cause them to charge
to the sea again, so the Duo, armed with the experience of the
previous few days , move stealthily on..once on the beach , they hit
the ground, SAS style and crawl across the shaded section of the beach
behind the resting seals .
No one dares breathe at the cliff top as
they watch the team advance toward the oblivious seals
UNTIL…suddenly as they move out of the shadows the seals spot them
and charge to the sea..Tim and Chris chase in hot pursuit of the
nettie and clamber amongst adult bull, cows and juvie seals and launch
toward the stricken juvenile. SUCCESS as Chris( our Skipper) picks his moment jumps
the seal…the seal wises up quickly and squirms out from under him,
but there is no escape as quick thinking Tim grabs her!
They pause for a few moments as they watch the remaining seals safely
pass them into the sea and then begin cutting away her manmade bonds.
Cheers shout out and ecstatic tears fall from the cliff top viewers as
she is released , limbs free again . Well done to all concerned as she
lives to fight another day!
About 3-5% of Grey Seals suffer some kind of net entanglement which cuts into their flesh, choking them until eventually they succome to infection, starvation and eventually death.getting involved in Beach Cleans are a great way to help prevent this kind of disaster. Details of how to organise or take part in one of these in your area can be obtained during one of our Newquay Sea Safaris.
Northerly Northerly winds whipped up but despite the interesting waves…Tag -a -Turtle supporters turned out and raised £400 towards being the first in the UK to Satellite Tag the next Blue Reef rescued, rehabilitated and released Loggerhead Turtle. This information wil help set up possible conservation measures by detailing their journey around the globe.The team are now nearly two thirds there…well done to all passengers , organizers Nicole and Nicola and of course our skipper of Atlantic Diver..Chris Lowe
Ali's proud moment as he caught his first cod of the season during our Newquay Wreck Fishing Trip aboard "Atlantic Diver". He ate it for his tea with lemon, Garlic Mayo and crusty bread…now thats what you call fresh! and all sustainably 
rod rod and line caught. A male Grey Seal watched passengers aboard "Atlantic Diver " as she returned to Newquay Harbour. The sea is starting to look a little green…so plankton may be on the way. Basking Sharks have been spotted in Ireland and St Ives during the last few weeks…so keep your eyes peeled for dorsal fins breaking the water's surface.
To appreciate the size of the Bottlenose Dolphins , watch this video taken by Skipper Chris Lowe from onboard Atlantic Diver on Saturday http://www.itv.com/news/westcountry/ beautiful dolphins with awesome powerful tail flukes!
G
raham one of our Divers, Dropped his line over the side and caught this bumper catch in the space of a few minutes…bar-b-que here we come
This Season's rescued seals have been released during a tiny window of calm waters. The excited pups telescoped thier necks high in the Cornish Seal Sanctuary tailer to spot the beautiful becalmed sea in a scenic Cornish Cove. Having regained their health and accumulated a whopping 40 kg in weight..thanks to Sanctuary Animal Care Team….MOST of the seals hauled themselves down into the sea, however one individual …"Crator" seemed a little apprehensive and climbed back into the trailer. Some seal pups take longer than others to re aclimatise .
Miranda, Mars, Moon, Orion, Indus and Crator were the seals (named after space theme) who were all successfully released today , with more to follow tomorrow. Of these Chris and I were fortunate enough as British Divers Marine Life Rescue Marine Mammal Medics , to have rescued Indus and Orion ,with the help of a huge team of volunteers who have cared for these seals and the amazing and seemingly inexhaustive efforts of the vets and Cornish Seal sanctuary Animal Care Team….Good Luck little seals…if you spot a tagged seal please report location, date, time and pic if possble to sue sayer at cornwall seal group.
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