Recent discussions between SSACN and Sportvisserij Nederland (Royal Dutch Angling Association) highlighted the fact that there is an apparent northern migration of smoothhound – increasing numbers of the species being caught each year.
Whether the increased numbers are due to decreased competition for food as cod stocks have declined, decreased commercial pressure reducing the numbers taken as bycatch or northern waters getting warmer, is a matter for detailed research.
During the discussions it soon became apparent that as both parties had tagging programmes, that by working together in a collaborative manner we …

This year Sharkatag takes place 14-16th June from marks around the Solway and SW Scotland.
NB :: Sharkatag is not a competition – its main aim are to highlight the urgent need for shark and ray conservation in Scottish waters, and to raise the public awareness of sea angling.
As always, the focus is on collecting data on tope, smoothound, thornback and other shark or ray species.
The poster for the upcoming Sharkatag Event is now available for download, just click on the image.
Pass the message on to your friends or print a …

Another slow day, but it got off to a great start for Suzanne MacKay on board Shooting Star with the re-capture of a 207lb female Skate, it was also Suzanne’s first skate.
The weather was glorious with no wind and bright sunshine which made the slow fishing easy to bear.
John McBlane on Black Pig caught was a small female skate, but Mathew Burrett and his crew on On Yer Marks II ( Wilson McMillan, Graham Brown, Peter Hutchinson & Guy Stewart ) showed the rest how it is done by …

Fishing was a bit slower today with 9 common skate caught by the boats – the biggest went 207lb for Mark Fishwick on G Dot.

 
Six of the fish were re-captures, one of which was recaptured for the 5th time – all were in prime condition.
A few thornback rays were taken along with a cuckoo ray, a black mouth doggie as well as a goodly number of doggies.
 

 
Billy with a 185lb common skate stuck on the bottom for over an hour … Look no hands !!!
 
Darren with a common skate of …

Fishing was a little patchy with today some boats doing better than others.
Leading the way was Matt Burrett and his crew on "On Yer Marks Too" with 6 Common Skate to 196lb with others of 179lb, 182lb, 174lb, 113lb and a 104lb fish that had a data storage tag in it. What a cracking day !
This storage tag is part of Marine Scotland’s research project on Common Skate in the Sound Of Jura and recovering the tag was worth £100 for the lucky angler.
Four other Skate were caught between the …

Looking ahead to 2012 ?
Want to enjoy some good company and fishing ?
Want to make a real difference ?
Support the Scottish Shark Tagging Programme
Help save Scotland’s sharks.
Three Events which throughout the year.
 
Download a copy of the poster and share it around.
Tagging is the only non-destructive assessment of sharks available which will help provide data such as :

Species migrations
Growth rates
Population and stock make-up
Stock fluctuations dynamics

The data will be used to input into the Scottish Government shark management plans.
Reports on each event highlighting socio-economic benefit to the area …

SSACN’s Event Team would like to welcome back to all those seasoned Tagathon anglers and all the new faces joining in this year to help tag as many fish as possible in the name of conservation. 
They have created an information pack to provide all anglers with all the information they require to have a great weekend in the Loch Sunart and Loch Etive areas of the West of Scotland.
To take part in the Event all you have to do is turn up, collect your participants pack, go fishing, tag …

Once again Sharkatag received terrific support with anglers fishing from over 50 boats and, reflecting the growth of this sector of our sport, a new record 20+ kayaks took part and although there were many tagging stalwarts a good number of newcomers to the sport and Sharkatag were also welcomed.
Friday was very disappointing in terms of the number of fish caught. Expectation was high, the weather was good, the tides were right but the fish failed to show; Saturday was equally difficult with the boats fishing off Ardwell having the …

We had a terrific time at Sharkatag. It was truly brilliant.  Not a lot of fish but great enjoyment.  As requested I have attached a few photographs from our trip to the event, hope they show the atmosphere of the event?. Yesterday with the swell it was an amazing sight to see all the guys on the slipway helping the other boats in.  This summed up Sharkatag for me. I hope you are able to use the photographs.  We enjoyed it so much that we will be registering for Sharkatag …

Only 5 days till Sharkatag 2011 !!!
The information pack is now available  for download.
Those attending Sharkatag will off course be given a full printed version when they pick up tags, recording cards etc next week. In the pack you will find everything you need to know from what SHARKATAG is all about, contact numbers, tagging guides, fish identification guide etc etc ……. we have tried to make it as informative as we can but if you need any more info then please email us at contact@ssacn .org.
If you haven’t …