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Displaying items by tag: Lumpsucker

Normally found in the cold waters of the Arctic, North Atlantic, and North Pacific ocean, this unusual-looking lumpsucker fish was discovered on the dock at Dun Laoghaire Marina on Dublin Bay this morning.

"The Icelandic fish them for their eggs, as false caviar as the eggs are black", according to Dr Kevin Flannery of Mara Beo in Dingle County Kerry.

Lumpsuckers or lumpfish are mostly small scorpaeniform marine fish of the family Cyclopteridae.

While the greatest number of species are found in the North Pacific, Dr Flannery provides a clue as to how this one might have found its way into the capital's waters. "They are now growing half a million of them in Bantry, County Cork for fish farms as they eat the lice and so replace chemicals and give natural biological upgrades to salmon farms," he says.

Nevertheless, it left Dublin berth holders scratching their heads how it ended up on the dock at Ireland's biggest marina this morning but the most likely scenario is that it was discarded by local fishermen and seagulls had a go at moving it on but found this Lump a bit heavy to carry.

Published in Dun Laoghaire Marina

About the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race

The Clipper Round the World Yacht Race is undoubtedly one of the greatest ocean adventures on the planet, also regarded as one of its toughest endurance challenges. Taking almost a year to complete, it consists of eleven teams competing against each other on the world’s largest matched fleet of 70-foot ocean racing yachts.

The Clipper Race was established in 1996 by Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, the first person to sail solo, non-stop, around the world in 1968-69. His aim was to allow anyone, regardless of previous sailing experience, the chance to embrace the thrill of ocean racing; it is the only event of its kind for amateur sailors. Around 40 per cent of crew are novices and have never sailed before starting a comprehensive training programme ahead of their adventure.

This unique challenge brings together everyone from chief executives to train drivers, nurses and firefighters, farmers, airline pilots and students, from age 18 upwards, to take on Mother Nature’s toughest and most remote conditions. There is no upper age limit, the oldest competitor to date is 76.

Now in its twelfth edition, the Clipper 2019-20 Race started from London, UK, on 02 September 2019.