Biological Sciences

Fish Survey (summary)
Dr Paul Farrell

The University of Portsmouth carried out a fish species survey for Chichester Harbour Conservancy, during the 9-16th August 2004. The survey was intended to follow up a previous survey carried out by the University in 1999.

This survey was carried out using two of the University's research vessels; Thrift and a 5.4 metre dory, Calypso. Thrift is a 12 metres, 100hp displacement boat, based in Southsea Marina. The 2004 survey was made using a fine mesh beam trawl and a siene net. A beam trawl has a fixed opening size, dictated by the length of the beam to which the net is attached (2m).

Fine Mesh beam trawl used in 2004 survey

Map of Chichester Harbour showing sample sites and catch data for Greater Pipefish

Fine mesh seine net used in 2004 survey

Lesser Weaver, Echiichthys vipera, Chichester Harbour 2004

Compared to the 1999 survey, fewer fish species were recorded (twenty seven compared to 31). The species not found this year were mainly those that were recorded only rarely in the first survey. Fish that are uncommon would not be expected to turn up in every survey, and four additional species were recorded this year; the Lesser weaver (Figure 3), and two more species of Dragonet and the Red Gurnard. Bringing the total number of species recorded over the two surveys to 40 (including fish recorded outside of the main survey period reported here).

Full details of the surveys can be found at the Chichester Conservancy Council website: