Upturn in catches as fish start to arrive

Wednesday 26th May 2010, 2:29PM BST.

Peter Gillson with his contrasting fish of the month entries – a 11-9-0 turbot and a 1-9-6 garfish. (0974923)

AFTER a long cold winter and early spring, when catches were at their lowest ebb for many years, it is a relief to be able to report some positive news.

Fishing has improved considerably and the early signs may indicate we are in for a good summer.

Afloat flatties are still being caught in some numbers, with boats returning with catches in excess of 20 from many marks, particularly the Banc de la Schole and spots near Alderney.

Godine and Banc au Nord are not so prolific and they are scarce on the Great Bank.

The catches are predominately turbot, brill are very much the minority. The only problem is the size of the turbot, with the vast majority being under 6-0-0. As an example, one boat had four at Banc de la Schole, one weighed 3-0-0 and the other three were all under 2-0-0.