Free in the Sea

Hermit crab                          renzofalena/Pixabay

Goodwick’s Sea Trust has bid a temporary farewell to its aquarium. At around Christmas time its annual release programme began with farewells to the tinier fish from the coral tank, anemone tank, and small fish tank.

Many of the species were reintroduced into their natural environment – which meant being released just off the slipway outside the Lab. This included 15 spined stickleback (Spinachia spinachia), a long spined sea scorpion (Taurulus bubalis), two spot gobies (Gobiusculus flavescens), a corkwing wrasse (Symphodus melops), common prawns (Palaemon serratus) and hermit crabs (Pagurus bernhardus).

Larger creatures were released closer to the outer breakwater to ensure they returned safely to their natural habitats. Each fish was carefully lowered into the ocean to minimise stress, reflecting the Trust’s commitment to their welfare.

These included Cuthbert the conger eel (Conger conger) the lesser spotted catshark (Scyliorhinus canicula) a velvet swimming crab (Necora puber) and tadpole fish (Raniceps raninus), not to forget  masked crab (Corystes cassivelaunus) rock goby (Gobius paganellus) a sea sponge (Porifera sp.) and two scallops

Each release plays a vital role in maintaining the balance and health of the local marine ecosystem, and the Trust says it is is proud to see these creatures thrive where they belong.

More information:
The Sea Trust.
Ocean Lab
The Parrog
Goodwick
SA64 0DE