Category: Uncategorised

 

 

 

 

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!

 

Graham 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.

 

 

Tonights the big night. Newquay Sea Safaris and Fishing are Finalists for the Cornwall Tourism Awards sooo..tonight we discover WHO have won the Bronze, Silver or Gold award for the Wildlife and marine Attraction of the Year 2014-2015. 

The Headland Hotel are hosting a Black Tie Dinner and Dance Award Ceremony, Chris Lowe ( gorgeous hubbie and skipper) Mike Taylor ( Marine Wildlife Guide) and myself are attending andddd ….we are sooooo excited. Will post on Twitter as soon as we know ourselves.

A huge thanks go to all of our Crew and Wildlife Team/Buddies with whom we have worked for the last 29 years and have helped us to shape Newquay Sea Safaris and Fishing so that we can share our knowledge of the amazing Marine Wildlife here off Newquay and North Cornwall Coast with members of the public as our guests on board our boats , on our tours and on our road shows, so that they can appreciate the diversity of the ocean and help enjoy it whilst working towards its protection for future generations….Phew…glad I said that before the fizzy champagne…I'll leave you all with an image of the Iconic Bottlenose Dolphins in Newquay Bay This year.

Couldn't resist blogging this utterly beautiful young female grey seal named "Cover Girl" spotted during Seal Survey and Ghost Gear Survey on North Cornwall Coast . She was quite curious and watched us watching her from aboard "Atlantic Diver", to the delight of all passengers onboard. 

The Guillemots were also beginning to come back to their ledges ready for breeding season.

 

Atlantic Diving are again offering a chance to enjoy a 2 hour Sea Safari or 4 hour Fishing Trip from the superfast catamaran ” Atlantic Diver!”. All proceeds will be donated to the Tag- A-Turtle charity which is nearly half way through raising enough funds to Satelite Tag the next rescued and rehabilitated Loggerhead Turtle that is released from Blue Reef Aquarium. Details of the charity and to book your place  please click the link below:

 http://www.tag-a-turtle.co.uk/news.html

 This fun day event will take place on Saturday 31st March 2012 so that it is open to families as well. The sea birds are now coming back inshore onto the cliffs to start breeding, so there is lots of wildlife to spot during the Sea Safaris.The Grey Seals that travel along the beautiful Cornish Coastline are begining to come back into Newquay Harbour  and the surrounding area. Have fun learning about these little characters and learn to spot males from females. If we are lucky we may be treated to a glimpse of a pod of Dolphins. Bottlenose Dolphins reguarly feed along Newquay Bay. Enjoy learning about the Commercial Crabbing Boats that work out of the harbour but best of all come and experience our superfast boat trip whilst donating to this wildlife Charity!

Would -be Anglers learn the tricks of the trade from our friendly Cornish Skipper ,with your own rod and reel ,try to catch sustainably caught fish for “ee” suppers !!! Recent catches include :Cod, Pollack, Red Gurnard, Ling, Conger Eel and many more…..hot drinks available and proper toilet on board for your comfort.

Passengers are advised to arrive 15 minutes before the trip leaves to get parking space( available at Newquay harbour) and wear warm clothing as it is still early season.

Further details of all the great things happening in Newquay ,including this event can be seen by clicking on this link below:( with special thanks to Newquay.co.uk)

 http://www.newquay.co.uk/whats-on-in-newquay/details/289-newquay-tag-a-turtle-fund-raisers