Re: Mako Catches

mako said:

I have been trying to research catches of Mako Sharks off Britain since the early 50's until they "vanished" in the 70's. Some of the earlier ones were recorded as porbeagles as the Mako was only officially identified in Britain in 1955. After 5 months, the SACGB has admitted that "someone has had a clear out and they no longer have the records". A bit remiss for an organization that was supposed to be the custodian of these records. I have also contacted AT who would have all the reports of these catches in their archives but, so far, no reply. Does anyone have any information or know of anyone who might?

 What about some of the looe skippers or some of their decendants would they be able to help they may have some personal records.
Have a look at F-3 Graeme Pullen legend interview Jack Bray might give you a pointer or two.

Re: Mako Catches

mako said:

Hi Alrounder Greg,

It would be a very long drawn out process. I can't even find out any info on Robin Vinnicombe who I knew very well but lost contact with over the years. I also knew his family but have drawn a blank trying to contact any of them and he is only one skipper. There were dozens. I have also seen Graeme Pullens write up on Jack Bray which shows a couple of Mako catches. On another point concerning the Jack Bray interview article. Did you see the picture of Joyce Yallops (who I also knew) record mako lashed to the side of the boat with it's mouth open facing the bow. If it was brought in like that it would invalidate the record claim because water would enter the mouth and potentially increase the weight. This was not allowed at the time under IGFA rules.

Thanks anyway for getting back again.

 I used to holiday in looe every year as a boy in the late 50s to the mid 60s and in the mid 70s with my own wife and children  I CAN REMEMBER AS A BOY SEEING THE SHARKS DUMPED IN THE RIVER and thinking what a waste.One other place to try is the curator of fishes AT THE NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM I have found them realy helpful in the past they may have some data that will be useful to you .
 

Re: Mako Catches

mako said:

Thanks for that Allroundergreg, I'll give them a try. Yes, they used to do that at Looe, at Falmouth the local crab fishermen used to take them as bait. What people forget these days, or may never have known, is that bringing the sharks in and weighing them was the only form of publicity for the boats & skippers. There were no mobile phones and few people even had camera's. There weren't even any radios on the boats prior to 1964 so no inter boat communication. Without the daily "wiegh in" there would never have been a Cornish Shark Fishery . Some would say that would have been a good thing but it provided a lot of jobs when Cornwall was dependent on fishing, mining & agriculture. I don't think skippers standing on the quay saying "we went out today and caught ten sharks but put them all back, why don't you come and try it tomorrow" would have had the same impact as seeing them weighed in.

 It was a world away from today as you say hope you have some luck and a good season catch a few
 

Re: Mako Catches

370lbs P.Taylor Falmouth, Cornwall in 1970 and a 498lbs 8oz K. Burgess Looe , Cornwall  in1966.

Re: Mako Catches

Hi Codfather,

Re Phil Taylors 370lbr caught off Falmouth in 1970. I know, I put the first gaff in its mouth.