News

Portuguese Blenny snapped in Welsh waters

Published

8 years ago

September 2, 2016

Portuguese Blenny: Similar to its cousin, the Tompot Blenny

THE MARINE Conservation Society (MCS) says a Portuguese Blenny (Parablennius ruber) has been photographed in Welsh waters for the first time.

It was spotted in The Smalls, a popular diving area 18 miles off the Pembrokeshire coast, west of St Brides Bay, by Seasearch diver Kerry Lewis, from Aberystwyth, in late July.

Seasearch is the MCS volunteer dive programme, where divers survey underwater areas around the UK.

MCS Wales Conservation Engagement Officer, Paul Kay, said he was able to identify the photograph taken by Kerry, because he had snapped a Portuguese Blenny off the Aran Island in Galway Bay many years ago and had to have the fish’s identity confirmed by an expert from Madeira.

The Portuguese Blenny is quite small, only growing up to about 14cm long. It has two quite characteristic head appendages, so it’s similar to its cousin, the Tompot Blenny.

However, it differs in colouration as it is mottled with red rather than brown stripes, and sometimes can be almost entirely bright red. Males have a blue spot on the front of their dorsal fin when ready to breed.

“This Portuguese Blenny was well known from far further south. But since my first sighting in some years ago, they’ve been found along the west coasts of both Ireland and Scotland and I’ve even photographed one as far north as St Kilda.

“It’s also been recorded in the Scillies and the south coast too, but never in Wales. I think this is partly because this little fish actually appears to like very rough, exposed spots and seems to thrive most in what we might think of as areas very difficult to survive in – which of course aren’t easy to dive in either,” says Paul.

Kerry Lewis says the sea conditions when she spotted the little Blenny were unusually calm, which is why the South and West Wales Seasearch team, organised by local co-ordinator Kate Lock, were able to get out to The Smalls, an area Kerry says she had wanted to dive in for over a decade.

“I was thrilled to have taken the first photo of this fish in Wales. When I saw it hopping about amongst the rocks, I assumed it was a juvenile Tompot Blenny, one of the best known fishes from around the UK.

“They share a striking resemblance, but its coloration and marginal differences in shape differentiate it. Fortunately, it stayed still long enough for me to get the picture and when I posted it in the online Seasearch forum, it all got quite exciting.”

Confirmation was also obtained from Dr Lin Baldock, Dorset Seasearch Co-ordinator and a small fish expert.

Paul Kay says that despite its name, it’s thought that the Portuguese Blenny is actually a resident of British and Irish waters: “It’s not a recent immigrant from further south, so its presence doesn’t suggest global warming, but actually illustrates just how biodiverse our own seas are and how we are still able to discover new things about them all the time, and why they need protecting and looking after.”

Crime

Musician pulled over in camper van tested positive for cannabis

Published

9 hours ago

January 2, 2025

Sarah-Jane Absalom

A TRAVELLING musician has appeared before magistrates after being found driving his campervan through Haverfordwest when he was over three times the legal drug-drive limit.

Jacob Sparkes, 34, was stopped by officers as he drove his Renault Traffic campervan through Thomas Parry Way, Haverfordwest, on July 20. A roadside drugs wipe proved positive while further blood tests carried out at the police custody suite showed he had 6.9 mcg of Delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol in his system. The legal limit is 2.

Sparkes pleaded guilty to the offence and was legally represented in court by solicitor Michael Kelleher.

“The defendant began taking cannabis as a form of self medication as a result of his epilepsy,” said Mr Kelleher. “At the time of the offence he was travelling in a campervan around Wales, playing music at various festivals.”

Sparkes, of Beech Road, Fairwater, Cardiff, was disqualified from driving for 12 months. He was fined £80 and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £32 surcharge.

Crime

Emergency services dealing with ‘serious incident’ at multi-storey car park

Published

10 hours ago

January 2, 2025

Jason Cooper

POLICE, ambulance crews and the air ambulance are attending to what is being described as a ‘serious incident’ at Tenby’s multi-storey car park this evening (Jan 2).

Witnesses said they heard shouting and other commotion in the car park, and shortly afterwards emergency services were at the scene.

Another witness said: “I was in Tenby and saw the helicopter hovering, then heard loads of sirens and didn’t know what was going on, then when I drove past the multi-storey in Park Road I saw loads of blue lights and people gathered.

“It happened right near the motorcycle section of the car park, so the very front near Sainsbury’s.

“This looks to be a very serious incident judging by the large emergency vehicle response.”

Police have asked the public to avoid the area whilst the incident is being dealt with.

They said: “There are currently delays due to a road traffic collision.

“Please be patient and take an alternative route if possible or plan extra time into your journey.”

This is a developing story – you may need to refresh the page to get the latest version.

Crime

Woman who used stolen bank cards having new baby taken into care

Published

10 hours ago

January 2, 2025

Sarah-Jane Absalom

A PEMBROKESHIRE woman has been sentenced for stealing bank cards from a young mother attending to her three young children at Carmarthen Railway Station toilet.

Kelly Rees, 35, a new mother herself, discovered the bag belonging to Cheryl Lewis on August 20. When Rees looked inside, she discovered a purse containing three bank cards and £2 in cash.

This week, Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan told Haverfordwest magistrates that Rees, of Precelly Place, Milford Haven, removed the purse from the bag and travelled back to Pembrokeshire where she made multiple attempts to use the stolen cards to purchase items. These included a visit to Tesco, Milford Haven, where she purchased goods valued at £189 using one of the stolen cards.

Ms Vaughan said the offences were committed while Rees was serving a Community Order for previous convictions.

Rees pleaded guilty to theft and of fraud by false representation.

“She’s genuinely remorseful for her actions,” said her solicitor Michael Kelleher. “She’s recently given birth, but her child will now be going into foster care.”

After considering a comprehensive probation report, magistrates sentenced Rees to 18 weeks in custody suspended for 12 months. She must carry out 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days and was ordered to pay £189 compensation to Cheryl Lewis, a £154 court surcharge and £85 costs.

“Multiple attempts to use those cards does not reflect well on your thinking process,” commented the presiding magistrate when sentencing Kelly Rees.