The Wildlife Trust's North Sea Wildlife Project

John Dory swims into Cresswell record books

Northumberland Wildlife Trust - 20 May 2011

Hot on the ‘heels’ of the pair of rare avocet birds which nested at Northumberland Wildlife Trust’s reserve at Cresswell Pond two weeks ago, a rare fish has made an appearance at the Trust’s Cresswell Shore reserve.

The John Dory fish chose the right day to become stranded in a rockpool on the reserve as it coincided with Northumberland Wildlife Trust’s Shoresearch training session for 25 of its staff and volunteers on the different ways of carrying out marine surveys and collecting marine data.

Luckily the fish was spotted in the nick of time, swimming round in circles on its side, unable to breathe properly because of the shallow water.  Steve Lowe, Head of Conservation at the Trust was able to identify it as a John Dory before releasing it into deeper water, when, after a brief pause, it swam off - totally oblivious to the fact that it had earned a place as the first John Dory to have ever been spotted on a Trust reserve and only the second to have been recorded on the Northumberland coastline since records began.

Releasing the fish into deeper water, Steve Lowe said: “We were amazed to find this fish, alive and swimming along the Northumberland coast and delighted it swam into our Cresswell Shore reserve for us to catch a glimpse.”

He continued: “This find reinforces the value of our marine areas and underlines the need for the government to set up the Marine Protected Areas - promised in the Marine and Coastal Access Act (MCAA).”

The John Dory, also known as St Pierre or Peter's Fish, is an edible benthic coastal marine fish with a laterally compressed olive-yellow body which has a large dark spot, and long spines on the dorsal fin. The dark spot is used to flash an 'evil eye' if danger approaches. Its large eyes at the front of the head provide it with bi-focal vision and depth perception, which are important for predators.  The John Dory’s eye spot on the side of its body also confuses prey, which are scooped up in its big mouth.

 

Ends

Photo captions
46 & 48 - John Dory
50 & 51 - Steve Lowe, Head of Conservation at Northumberland Wildlife Trust releases John Dory into deeper water

Notes to Editors
Northumberland Wildlife Trust

Northumberland Wildlife Trust is the largest environmental charity in the
region working to safeguard native wildlife. One of 47 Wildlife Trusts across the UK, Northumberland Wildlife Trust has campaigned for nature conservation for over 40 years. It aims to inform, educate and involve people of all ages and backgrounds in protecting their environment in favour of wildlife and conservation.

Supported by over 13,000 individual and 100 corporate members in the region, Northumberland Wildlife Trust manages and protects critical species and habitats at over 60 nature reserves throughout Newcastle,
North Tyneside and Northumberland.

Media Contact:
Fiona Dryden, Communications Officer
Tel: (0191) 284 6884
Email: fiona.dryden@northwt.org.uk