Welsh Journals

Marine Fish of Gower by J. H. S. Cox and P. E. King In 1972 a list of the fish species present on and around the Gower shores was published in GOWER XXIII (King and Ryland, 1972). Since that time there have been many further records, and this paper describes eighteen new species from the Gower area. Some historical records of particular interest are included, and a revised list of species provided. The Basking Shark Cetorhinus maximus is the largest fish to visit Gower waters and is the second largest fish in the world. Despite its size it is harmless to man, as it feeds entirely on plankton. When cruising at the surface its snout, dorsal fin, and tail tip often protrude above the water, and this behaviour, together with the fish's great size, may be responsible for many "Sea-Serpent" tales of the past. Basking Shark are migratory, and occur near British coasts during the summer. There were sightings in Gower waters during the late 1970's, and a probable sight- ing by a waterskier off Oxwich in the summer of 1984. Until fairly recently the Smooth Hound Mustelus mustelus and the Starry Smooth Hound Mustelus asterias were thought to be a single species. Both are small bottom-living Sharks, which are usually found in inshore waters and give birth to live young. They can be distinguished by their colouration with the Starry Smooth Hound having many small, white spots scattered over its upper surface, whilst the Smooth Hound is uniformly grey above. Off Gower they are most frequently caught by anglers in the summer and early autumn, with Carmarthen Bay and the Burry Inlet being favoured areas. The Spurdog Squalus acanthias is another small bottom-living Shark which is unmistakable because of the prominent spines at the front of both dorsal fins. It often occurs in large single-sex shoals, and makes seasonal migrations. In Gower waters most are caught in the autumn and winter months. Spurdog, along with other small Sharks, are sold by fishmongers as "Rock Eel" or "Flake". The Common Skate Raja batis is the largest and heaviest European Ray. The only modern record from Gower waters comes from Car- marthen Bay, where Ajayi (1977) recorded a single specimen in a sample of six thousand trawled Rays, the majority of which were Thornback, Painted or Spotted Rays. Ajayi also recorded Cuckoo Ray Raja naevus, readily recognisable by the two prominent black and yellow eyespots on the wings and usually found in shallow water.