More pics

[castalia]

Yesterday was our fishing trip to Point Lynas, where we caught 19 species, collected samples of certain fish, and then processed the catch in the on-ship lab. Much fun was had by all, except the few who were a bit squeamish about slicing straight through fish skulls (w/one species we practically had to chop the head in two, right b/w the eyes) to get to the otoliths.

To get to the fishing area, we sailed out of the Menai Strait...



...past Puffin Island...



...out into the open Irish Sea...



...and back around to trawl parallel to the North Anglesey coast.



We took two trawls, mostly whiting and red gurnard. Mixed in were some cod, mackerel, squid, hake, lemon sole, Dover sole, plaice, scallops, and a smattering of other fish. Personally, of course, I was most interested in the squid...





Afterwards, we were allowed to take home certain things so I headed home with fresh mackerel, cod, whiting, lemon and Dover sole, squid, and scallops. Marie (friend in the MSc program for Shellfish biology/ecology stuff) has training as a fishmonger at Tesco, so she and I went back to my place to fillet or gut our catch. I have bags of fish fillets in the freezer now, and dinner was fresh mackerel and scallops.



Am exhausted, but it was a profitable day. It's nice to learn new things that are both fun and useful. I've never eaten some of these things before, but I'm going to get some tips and give them a try.

Today is more flailing about doing the stats for our barnacle report, and writing up the fisheries essay. Monday is more ship work (this time just taking measurements here at the pier) and writing up the barnacle report. I'm not sure how good this report will turn out, considering how little time we've had to learn about this and do it, but I'll do my best. See you all after the deadlines...

Comments

[chickenfeet2003.livejournal.com]

Really fresh mackerel is so superior to even day old stuff. You are lucky! Gurnard is excellent too. I converted teh lemur to fresh fish with "straight off the boat" gurnard in Cornwall.

[castalianspring.livejournal.com]

There were plenty of red gurnard to choose from, but we were told it's very bony and a bitch to prepare. Any tips on how to deal with that?

[chickenfeet2003.livejournal.com]

I don't remember it being difficult. I think I filleted and pan fried the fillets in butter but I think it would be good steamed whole for example. So it has bones! Most fish do.

[castalianspring.livejournal.com]

Yes, but gurnard are especially bony. There are certainly more spiky bits to be careful of when dissecting them. Not having attempted to fillet them myself, I'm only going by what a few of the PhD students said.

Cas holding a squid

[krzykat.livejournal.com]

I'm so shocked, not. Surprised ya didn't take it home to keep as a pet. :)


Wow the scallops were not arranged in perpendicular lines. Sorry I had to tease ya a bit.

Re: Cas holding a squid

[castalianspring.livejournal.com]

Hee, I did take it home, but as it was dead at the time I decided to chop it up rather than keep it as a pet ;)

*baps you*

Re: Cas holding a squid

[krzykat.livejournal.com]

:) Had to do it!

[deborak]

Looks like you had a lovely day out on the water. Bill and I really need to move to a location with water access.

[castalianspring.livejournal.com]

It really was lovely. Not like yesterday, when we did turbidity measurements off the ship; even though we didn't leave the pier, the weather was nasty. Did you enjoy your boat outing with gritkitty?

[lauraspeak.livejournal.com]

That reminds me that I actually tried calamari (sp?) the yesterday. I was sitting there like, "I just ate squid..."

[castalianspring.livejournal.com]

I haven't actually eaten it yet, but we'll see how it goes :) Did you like it?

[lauraspeak.livejournal.com]

To me it tasted like seafood does, but it still had it's own taste. I'm sure you know what I mean. Though, it was served breaded, so that might make a difference in taste.

I'll have to try it again sometime, my friend Jen (who ordered it) just loves it.

[cimmerianwillow.livejournal.com]

The picture of you and the squid is so cute! It's my favorite pic of you ever, I think - right up there with the pic I have of Jennifer licking the porn magazine.

[castalianspring.livejournal.com]

*snicker* I still have a copy of that pic. Never fails to crack me up.