News

Fish using more energy to stay still than first thought, Welsh research finds

Published

8 months ago

August 21, 2025

FISH staying still in water are using considerably more energy than first thought, new research has found.

Remaining stationary in the water is essential for fish as it helps them look out for predators, access prey in small crevices and feed on hard-to-reach resources like aquatic plants.

Fish achieve this by so-called “hovering” which includes corrective fin and body movements. Without these movements, they would naturally flip sideways or upside down.

The research, carried out by a team including an academic from Aberystwyth University’s Department of Computer Science, discovered that hovering requires twice as much energy compared to resting.

The reason for the excess energy use is instability, which is caused by the swim bladder, a gas filled sac that sits within nearly all bony fishes. Although the swim bladder provides the buoyancy that stops a fish from sinking, it also creates a stability problem. Due to the location of the swim bladder, there is a separation between the centre of buoyancy and centre of mass, and this separation makes fish inherently unstable. This is why dead fish are seen floating on their sides or upside down because they naturally tip.

The findings could have implications for the design of more manoeuvrable and stable miniature aquatic robots. The research involved the team placing 13 species of bony fish in a specialised tank and recorded oxygen consumption while they were hovering and while they were at rest at the bottom of the tank. High speed cameras were used to track fin movements.

Body size and shape were also measured from each fish to investigate what influences instability during hovering. This data was then used to create a simple model to link the body properties of fish to metabolic cost of hovering. The model suggests that fish with deep compact bodies, such as goldfish, were more efficient in their hovering, while long slender fish such as rummy-nose tetra had more difficulty.

Dr Otar Akanyeti, from Aberystwyth University’s Department of Computer Science, said: “You would have thought that staying still would be easy but this research has upended this assumption. Hovering is essential for fishes to eat, avoid predators or hunt prey but it has energetic consequences that are not negligible. It is similar to trying to balance on an inflatable tube in the swimming pool or sea, which is harder than it first looks.

“The findings have important real-life implications for sea exploration. First, they help us with ecological modelling to better understand fish behaviour. Second, they can be used to improve the manoeuvrability of undersea robots, raising the possibility of them being able to access previously unreachable areas.

“Undersea robots are traditionally compact for stability but by using these findings, we can in effect build in some instability to help the robots move in the same way as fishes who hover more effectively.”

The findings were published in a paper in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. In addition to Dr Akanyeti, the study was co-authored by seven institutions. The research was led by the University of California San Diego’s Scripps Institution of Oceanography.

Community

Free naloxone training session announced for Pembroke Dock

Published

15 hours ago

May 1, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A FREE life-saving training session is set to take place in Pembroke Dock next month, giving people the skills to respond to suspected drug overdoses.

RM Training and Security Solutions has confirmed it will host a naloxone (Naxoline) training course at The Cricketers in Pembroke Dock on Tuesday (June 9) from 2:00pm to 4:00pm.

The session is being delivered in partnership with the Dyfed Drug and Alcohol Service (DDAS) and is open to anyone, including security staff, venue teams, event workers and members of the public.

Organisers say the training is designed to be quick, practical and accessible, equipping attendees with the knowledge and confidence to act in an emergency.

Those taking part will learn how to recognise the signs of an overdose, what to do in a critical situation, how to safely administer naloxone, and gain an understanding of basic harm reduction.

Naloxone is a medication used to reverse the effects of opioid overdoses and can be administered via a nasal spray.

RM Training and Security Solutions said the session forms part of a wider effort to improve safety across communities, particularly in nightlife and public-facing environments.

Places are limited, and early booking is advised. Those interested can book via the company’s website or contact the organisers directly for more information.

Photo caption:

Life-saving skills: Free naloxone training will be held at The Cricketers in Pembroke Dock on Tuesday (June 9).

Community

Security firm meets councillors over town safety concerns

Published

15 hours ago

May 1, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A MEETING has been held at Haverfordwest Town Council offices to discuss community safety and security concerns in the town.

Councillor Randell Izaiah Thomas-Turner welcomed RM Training and Security Solutions for what he described as a “productive and forward-thinking” discussion.

He was joined by Deputy Mayor-elect Cllr Adam Benson Davis and the Sheriff of Haverfordwest, Cllr Dani Thomas-Turner, for the meeting with Ryan Mayne and Matthew Davis of RM Training and Security Solutions.

The discussion focused on concerns facing the community, including public safety, anti-social behaviour and the need for practical partnership working to help support residents, businesses and visitors.

Cllr Thomas-Turner said the meeting was open and honest, with all parties keen to look at constructive ways of improving safety and confidence in the town.

Further discussions are expected as councillors continue to explore possible community-led solutions.

Photo caption:

Town safety talks: Councillors met with representatives of RM Training and Security Solutions at Haverfordwest Town Council offices.

Community

Port invests almost £500,000 in Pembrokeshire communities

Published

17 hours ago

May 1, 2026

Tom Sinclair

YOUNG people, water safety projects and environmental schemes across Pembrokeshire benefited from almost half a million pounds of support from the Port of Milford Haven during 2025.

The Port said its investment reflected another year of commitment to strengthening local communities, building confidence among young people, improving access to the Milford Haven Waterway and supporting environmental resilience across the county.

Its community support focused on three main themes: a safe, inclusive and enjoyable Waterway; a skilled and confident community, with a particular focus on young people; and a sustainable and resilient environment.

Water safety projects delivered with Windswept, Paddle West and Blue Horizons CIC helped more people access the Waterway safely, including skills sessions and boat trips for people of all abilities and backgrounds.

The Port also supported Tenby Surf Life Saving Club and Porthmawr Surf Life Saving Club, helping provide training and safety equipment for volunteers carrying out lifesaving work.

Youth support

long-standing partnerships also remained central to the Port’s community investment.

Its continued work with Milford Youth Matters supported initiatives including Under the Bridge and the Winter Warmers scheme, providing safe and warm spaces for young people during the colder months.

Support for Megan’s Starr Foundation funded more than 300 hours of counselling for young people, helping improve mental health and wellbeing.

The Port also worked with Pembrokeshire County Council and Milford Haven Town Council to help keep a vital library resource open.

Support continued for the Torch Theatre, which delivered opportunities for young people outside traditional academic or sporting settings and won an award in 2025.

In partnership with the SPARC Alliance, the Port also helped encourage young women to explore careers in STEM, with 172 girls enrolled in the programme.

Environmental work

The Port said it remained proud to support the Pembrokeshire Marine SAC Officer post, recognising the importance of protecting and sharing the county’s special marine environment.

It also highlighted its role with the Milford Haven Waterway Environment Surveillance Group, which has monitored the Waterway’s habitats and wildlife for more than thirty years.

The Port has also supported Cymbrogi Futures in delivering the Tomorrow’s Changemakers Hackathon programme for schools across Pembrokeshire.

Anna Malloy, Communications and Marketing Director at the Port of Milford Haven, said: “Our community investments are some of the most rewarding ways we support people across Pembrokeshire.

“Every year we see incredible dedication from local groups working to make our communities safer, more inclusive, and more inspiring, especially for young people.

“We are particularly proud that in 2026 the fund will be focusing further on supporting projects that help young people gain skills and grow in confidence.

“Our investment in people today helps create a stronger, more inclusive and ambitious generation tomorrow.”

The Port of Milford Haven is the UK’s top energy port and Wales’ busiest port, handling around 20% of Britain’s seaborne trade in oil and gas. It also owns and operates Pembroke Port and Milford Waterfront.

Photo caption: Water safety projects delivered with Windswept, Paddle West and Blue Horizons CIC helped more people access the Waterway safely.