Migrating Somerset eels tracked by camera

A high-tech camera is being used to track eels as they begin their migration to the North Atlantic from Somerset.

The acoustic camera has been placed in the Huntspill River to record the number of eels setting off on the 3,000 mile (4.800km) journey to the Sargasso Sea.

Scientists had previously been unable to record eel numbers, the Environment Agency said.

The cameras, which operate by using sound waves, were originally designed to detect cracks on oil rigs.

Environment Agency spokesman Pete Sibley said the introduction of the technology was "our first real chance to record and capture eel numbers by direct observation and increase our understanding of the creature's mysterious life cycle".

The eel population has suffered a 95% decline over the past 30 years as a result of over fishing, pollution and disease, the agency said.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-somerset-16687544

Trust turns to eels in war against US crayfish

By Nicholas Christian

THE battle against invading American signal crayfish is being stepped up in one of Scotland's biggest lochs.

 

Millions of crayfish have infested picturesque Loch Ken, north of Castle Douglas in Dumfries and Galloway, and efforts to control their numbers have failed.

Now thousands of European eels, which eat crayfish, are being introduced into a river that runs into the loch in the hope that they will reduce the population.

Fishing in the loch, the biggest in the south of Scotland, has been badly hit by the infestation of the American crayfish, costing the region tens of thousands of pounds.

The Galloway Fisheries Trust, which is behind the project to introduce the baby eels, believes that once they are fully grown the eels will leave the River Dee for the loch, where they are expected to devour large numbers of crayfish.

Rownan Armstrong, a biologist with the Galloway Fisheries Trust, said: "The eels are still young and it will take time for them to grow."

The loch and the River Dee used to be home to a healthy population of the eels, but following the construction of Tongland Dam, near Kirkcudbright, the numbers fell dramatically.

But now eels are being trapped below the dam and are being transported above it and placed in small burns in the lower river.

A Scottish Government-backed cull of the invading crayfish resulted in the deaths of two million two years ago, but it has made little impression on the fast-growing American species, which was introduced to the United Kingdom 20 years ago.

http://scotlandonsunday.scotsman.com/nature/Trust-turns-to-eels-in.6850154.jp

Eel swims up man's penis

A Chinese man who tried a beauty treatment for bathing with live eels was left in agony - when one slipped up his penis.

Vain Zhang Nan, 56, had been told bathing with eels would make him look years younger because they nibbled off layers of dead skin.

So he bought ten from a local market, in the city of Honghu, Hubei Province, and decided to give it a try at home.

But one of the 6in long elvers squirmed up his urethra and swam right into his bladder.

He needed a three-hour operation to remove the eel - by which time it was dead.

Zhang said: "I climbed in the bath and could feel the eels nibbling my body, then I felt a severe pain.
"I tried to grab the eel to pull it out again but it was too slippery and disappeared."

Initially, he was too embarrassed to seek help but when the eel didn't reappear naturally he went to the Wuhan People's Hospital.

Doctors used an ultrascan to locate the eel in Zhang's bladder and operated to remove it.

http://web.orange.co.uk/article/quirkies/Eeel_swims_up_mans_penis

France signs death warrant for the eel

Europe's eel populations face being wiped out because France has refused to accept a continent-wide complete ban on the export of glass eels.


European countries are trying to hammer out a deal to allow eel populations to recover – eel numbers have declined by more than 90 per cent in the past 20 years.

Britain has imposed its own temporary ban on fishing for mature eels, and places quotas on the capture of glass eels, the tiny translucent juvenile fish that are born in their millions in the Sargasso Sea and travel to European estuaries to mature into adults.

But demand from China for glass eels has pushed up prices to more than €1,000 (£850) a kilo – similar to cheap caviar – providing fisheries with a major incentive to continue trawling.


Last year, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species called on trade in European eels to be controlled. The EU's Scientific Review Group has recommended a complete ban on exports this winter. But at a meeting in Brussels, France – Europe's largest eel exporter – refused to sign up to a ban. The result is that no quota has been set just as the eel season kicks off.

Campaigners are concerned that France will continue to fish eels in unsustainable numbers this winter. French fishermen have threatened to go on strike if a ban is brought in.

Compared to Britain, which accounts for only 2 per cent of Europe's annual eel catch, France is a major exporter of glass eels to Asia and uses mechanised trawlers in the Bay of Biscay to fish for them.

Last year the total Cites-recommended French export quota was 14 tonnes, but campaigning groups that track fishing exports accuse France of shipping more than this to China alone.

"Exploitation of eels by any one member state impacts the region's entire eel population and therefore management purely at the national level makes no sense," said Stephanie von Meibom, the European programme co-ordinator of the conservation group Traffic. "It is inconsistent with EU policy which emphasises harmony, consistency and coherence between member states."

Pollution, climate change and unsustainable fishing practices have led to a 90 per cent drop-off in worldwide eel populations, scientists say.

Although the Japanese usually insist on eating their indigenous eels, the Chinese and Koreans are less fussy and import millions of European glass eels, which are then grown to maturity before being eaten.

Iceland, Norway, Ireland, Holland, Britain and parts of Spain have brought in their own quotas or bans. But the comparatively lax approach by the French authorities has placed pressure on other European fishermen to flout those bans.

Peter Wood, managing director of UK Glass Eels, accused the French of behaving selfishly and of feeding off the sacrifices of other nations. "They do seem very keen in France to continue to export everything to Asia, and that seems to me a huge loss of a valuable resource," he said.

"They've got this idea that they have this resource of glass eels and it is theirs to do with as they see fit. But it's a collective resource. Most of the glass eels came from breeding stock from other European nations. Some have come from comprehensive restocking programmes in the past, like in Northern Ireland and Sweden. Stock from these countries has gone back to the Sargasso Sea to breed."

By Jerome Taylor and Lewis Smith


http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/food-and-drink/news/france-signs-death-warrant-for-the-eel-2130869.html

France signs death warrant for the eel

Europe's eel populations face being wiped out because France has refused to accept a continent-wide complete ban on the export of glass eels.


European countries are trying to hammer out a deal to allow eel populations to recover – eel numbers have declined by more than 90 per cent in the past 20 years.

Britain has imposed its own temporary ban on fishing for mature eels, and places quotas on the capture of glass eels, the tiny translucent juvenile fish that are born in their millions in the Sargasso Sea and travel to European estuaries to mature into adults.

But demand from China for glass eels has pushed up prices to more than €1,000 (£850) a kilo – similar to cheap caviar – providing fisheries with a major incentive to continue trawling.


Last year, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species called on trade in European eels to be controlled. The EU's Scientific Review Group has recommended a complete ban on exports this winter. But at a meeting in Brussels, France – Europe's largest eel exporter – refused to sign up to a ban. The result is that no quota has been set just as the eel season kicks off.

Campaigners are concerned that France will continue to fish eels in unsustainable numbers this winter. French fishermen have threatened to go on strike if a ban is brought in.

Compared to Britain, which accounts for only 2 per cent of Europe's annual eel catch, France is a major exporter of glass eels to Asia and uses mechanised trawlers in the Bay of Biscay to fish for them.

Last year the total Cites-recommended French export quota was 14 tonnes, but campaigning groups that track fishing exports accuse France of shipping more than this to China alone.

"Exploitation of eels by any one member state impacts the region's entire eel population and therefore management purely at the national level makes no sense," said Stephanie von Meibom, the European programme co-ordinator of the conservation group Traffic. "It is inconsistent with EU policy which emphasises harmony, consistency and coherence between member states."

Pollution, climate change and unsustainable fishing practices have led to a 90 per cent drop-off in worldwide eel populations, scientists say.

Although the Japanese usually insist on eating their indigenous eels, the Chinese and Koreans are less fussy and import millions of European glass eels, which are then grown to maturity before being eaten.

Iceland, Norway, Ireland, Holland, Britain and parts of Spain have brought in their own quotas or bans. But the comparatively lax approach by the French authorities has placed pressure on other European fishermen to flout those bans.

Peter Wood, managing director of UK Glass Eels, accused the French of behaving selfishly and of feeding off the sacrifices of other nations. "They do seem very keen in France to continue to export everything to Asia, and that seems to me a huge loss of a valuable resource," he said.

"They've got this idea that they have this resource of glass eels and it is theirs to do with as they see fit. But it's a collective resource. Most of the glass eels came from breeding stock from other European nations. Some have come from comprehensive restocking programmes in the past, like in Northern Ireland and Sweden. Stock from these countries has gone back to the Sargasso Sea to breed."

By Jerome Taylor and Lewis Smith


http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/food-and-drink/news/france-signs-death-warrant-for-the-eel-2130869.html

Man f-eel-ing blue after op

By STAFF REPORTER
Published: 03 Aug 2010
Add a comment (53)

A FISHMONGER has told how he nearly died after he slipped into a tank of eels — and one shot straight up his bum.

Horrified Li Chang, 43 — who suffered severe internal injuries — had been sitting on the edge of the tank at his warehouse in Guangzhou, southern China, where the eels were waiting to be cooked.

But he slipped off his perch into the giant tank filled with hundreds of the writhing creatures.

Chang said: "I guess they were scared when I suddenly landed in the tank so they started wriggling everywhere.

"Several shot up my trouser leg. And then to my horror I felt one go up my bottom."

Incredibly Chang was so embarrassed that he carried on working.

He said: "I didn't say anything at first when I climbed out - I was too embarrassed. I dried myself off and tried to carry on working, but it was just too painful."

Colleagues dialled the emergency services when Chang eventually collapsed in agony.

Astonished medics carried out a five hour operation to remove the eel and repair the severe internal trauma caused by it thrashing about.

A hospital spokesman said: "The eel had badly injured the patient. If he had not arrived when he did he would have died. We expect he will make a full recovery though.

"The eel was as wide as two fingers and as long as a man's arm."

Blue ribbon eel snapped in photo contest

Click to enlarge

http://e-edition.metro.co.uk/2010/06/01/ - p21.

Story of the monster of Whitewood Lake (via Paul Cropper)

Story of the monster of Whitewood Lake
28 April 2010
Drogheda Independent
English
(c) 2010 Independent News & Media PLC

Many years ago, while casting a line or two out at Lough Mentrim, I heard the tale of the local 'Loch Ness' monster. Over 40 years ago an eel-like ceature was sighted by Dennis Barnes of Doncaster while fishing on the shores of the deep 10acre Whitewood Lake near Nobber.

'It was raining,' he said at the time, 'but in the area which joins the part of the lake from the River Dee, I saw something turn in the water'. He then witnessed was appeared to be a Conger eel rise fom the water. 'It resembled a smaller version of what has been photographed on a number of occasions in Loch Ness,' Mr Barnes claimed. 'The part protruding from the water seemed to be about nine inches high and two foot long and was dark brown and green. It resembled an eel and although it was near to my bait it didn't bite.

'About 10 seconds later something frightened my son Peter out of the water where he was standing. If it was the same creature it traversed about 100 yards of water in 10 seconds'. If it was an eel, he feels it must have weighed up to 60lbs About 12 years earlier, three local fisherman, Paddy O'Brien of Robertstown, Patrick Finnegan, jun and David McDowell of Boynagh were reported to have seen something similar in the lake.

The Inland Fisheries Trust were asked to investigate the lake and possibly lay nets to try and catch the monster.
Whatever happened to the Whitewood 'monster' can anyone tell me?

Document DROGH00020100428e64s0004m

Thames eel populations crash by 98% in five years, scientists warn

Concerns grow over dramatic drop in numbers of mysterious creatures that migrate across the Atlantic

guardian.co.uk, Thursday 21 January 2010 17.34 GMT

Eel populations in the river Thames have crashed by 98% in just five years, scientists warned today.

The eel, which has been a traditional east London dish for centuries, now appears to be vanishing from the capital's river, according to researchers from the Zoological Society of London (ZSL).

Each year, ZSL's Tidal Thames Conservation Project places eel traps in a number of the river's tributaries, to catch the fish and allow scientists to record numbers before setting them free.

While 1,500 were captured in the traps in 2005, just 50 were recorded last year.

The eels are thought to take up to three years migrating as larvae from the Sargasso Sea to European rivers, where they spend up to 20 years before making the 4,000-mile return journey across the Atlantic to spawn and die.

But conservationists are concerned the species is not returning to the Thames, or is facing problems in the river and its tributaries.

European eels and flounders were the first species to recolonise the Thames estuary after it was considered "biologically dead" in the 1960s, and there are fears the rapid collapse of the eel population could have knock-on effects for other species in the still-fragile ecosystem.

Other rivers in the UK are also seeing declines in eel populations, ZSL said.

Dr Matthew Gollock, tidal Thames conservation project manager, said: "Eels are mysterious creatures at the best of times but we are very concerned about the rapid disappearance in the Thames.

"It is difficult to say what is going on – it could be due to a number of potential factors including changes in oceanic currents due to climate change, man-made structures such as dams and the presence of certain diseases and parasites."

And he said there was a need to find out why the declines were happening, in order to save the eels and help other species in the estuary's food web who would be affected by its disappearance, such as birds which feed on it.

"Time appears to be running out for eels in the river Thames and this could have a domino effect on other species in the Thames," Gollock said.

"The Thames is a very urban, developed estuary. It's much healthier than it was 50 years ago, but there is constant pressure on it.

"It's quite a precarious ecosystem and the fast removal of any species — whether it is a fish or a plant - is going to upset the balance," he said.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2010/jan/21/eel-thames-population-crash
(Submitted by Tim Chapman)

Mysterious monster lurking beneath British Isle lake captured on video

September 28th, 2009

London, September 28 (ANI): Scientists have got hold of incredible new footage that could shows a mysterious monster lurking beneath one of the deepest lakes in the British Isles, which is unlike any creature ever seen.

According to a report in The Sun, Jonathan Downes spotted the “creature” thrashing around in one of the Lakes of Killarney in County Kerry, Ireland, while on holiday.

His eerie sighting was in the Upper Lake one of three interlinked lakes that make up the area.

The mystery comes just a few years after bizarre unexplained sonar recordings showing a large body were made in the adjoining Muckross Lake.

Along with his wife and friends who also had cameras, Downes, from Crediton, Devon, managed to capture shapes moving across part of the lake.

Downes, who is director at the Centre for Fortean Zoology, said that he had heard of the sonar reading before visiting the lake, but was “ridiculously” lucky to see anything.

“What we saw was a thing about nine to 10ft long. I’d love to say I saw long necks and humps and things but I didn’t,” he said.

Downes, who studies cryptozoology – which investigates unknown species of animals, described seeing what he see described as appearing to be “a long thin eel-like creature appearing about 10ft long”.

“I believe it must be a large eel. It was a pale colour. What I saw didn’t actually really come out on the picture as well,” he said. (ANI)

http://www.sindhtoday.net/news/1/54900.htm

http://blog.taragana.com/n/mysterious-monster-lurking-beneath-british-isle-lake-captured-on-video-180196/

Mysterious monster lurking beneath British Isle lake captured on video

September 28th, 2009

London, September 28 (ANI): Scientists have got hold of incredible new footage that could shows a mysterious monster lurking beneath one of the deepest lakes in the British Isles, which is unlike any creature ever seen.

According to a report in The Sun, Jonathan Downes spotted the “creature” thrashing around in one of the Lakes of Killarney in County Kerry, Ireland, while on holiday.

His eerie sighting was in the Upper Lake one of three interlinked lakes that make up the area.

The mystery comes just a few years after bizarre unexplained sonar recordings showing a large body were made in the adjoining Muckross Lake.

Along with his wife and friends who also had cameras, Downes, from Crediton, Devon, managed to capture shapes moving across part of the lake.

Downes, who is director at the Centre for Fortean Zoology, said that he had heard of the sonar reading before visiting the lake, but was “ridiculously” lucky to see anything.

“What we saw was a thing about nine to 10ft long. I’d love to say I saw long necks and humps and things but I didn’t,” he said.

Downes, who studies cryptozoology – which investigates unknown species of animals, described seeing what he see described as appearing to be “a long thin eel-like creature appearing about 10ft long”.

“I believe it must be a large eel. It was a pale colour. What I saw didn’t actually really come out on the picture as well,” he said. (ANI)

http://www.sindhtoday.net/news/1/54900.htm

http://blog.taragana.com/n/mysterious-monster-lurking-beneath-british-isle-lake-captured-on-video-180196/

"Bownessie" - The Search for The Windermere Monster

September 20,2009

By Ian Brockwell

After many years of searching for the Loch Ness Monster without success, attention has been directed to what has been called a "distant relative" to Nessie, perhaps aptly named "Bownessie" because of the bow wave it produces and the similarity to the mysterious sightings in Loch Ness.

The first public sighting of "Bownessie" in Lake Windermere was in 2006, and the number of people who claim to have seen something continues to grow.

A recent video certainly seems to support the possibility of some kind of creature in the lake, which created a bow wave of around 20 meters in length.

Other sightings have estimated the size of the creature at anything from 20 to 50 feet long. One witness, who claimed the "creature" passed below him, said the movement in the water was so powerful he thought it was a submarine.

Bownessie has been described as a giant eel or sturgeon, but others claim they have seen a creature with humps (much like some of the reports on the Loch Ness Monster).

The most recent sighting of the creature was in July of this year, when a local hotelier was hit by a three foot wave while swimming.

This weekend saw the launch of a new investigation on the lake, using state of the art equipment and a specially chartered yacht. The team includes Linden Adams, a photographer who gave the creature its name and psychic Dean Maynard.

The odds of finding something in the lake seems reasonably good, but what remains to be seen.

It could of course be a hoax, a giant eel or sturgeon, or even some alien creature (many people have reported seeing UFO's entering lakes in the past). Maybe this is one mystery that might be solved shortly, we shall have to wait and see.

http://newsblaze.com/story/20090920183351ianb.nb/topstory.html

"Bownessie" - The Search for The Windermere Monster

September 20,2009

By Ian Brockwell

After many years of searching for the Loch Ness Monster without success, attention has been directed to what has been called a "distant relative" to Nessie, perhaps aptly named "Bownessie" because of the bow wave it produces and the similarity to the mysterious sightings in Loch Ness.

The first public sighting of "Bownessie" in Lake Windermere was in 2006, and the number of people who claim to have seen something continues to grow.

A recent video certainly seems to support the possibility of some kind of creature in the lake, which created a bow wave of around 20 meters in length.

Other sightings have estimated the size of the creature at anything from 20 to 50 feet long. One witness, who claimed the "creature" passed below him, said the movement in the water was so powerful he thought it was a submarine.

Bownessie has been described as a giant eel or sturgeon, but others claim they have seen a creature with humps (much like some of the reports on the Loch Ness Monster).

The most recent sighting of the creature was in July of this year, when a local hotelier was hit by a three foot wave while swimming.

This weekend saw the launch of a new investigation on the lake, using state of the art equipment and a specially chartered yacht. The team includes Linden Adams, a photographer who gave the creature its name and psychic Dean Maynard.

The odds of finding something in the lake seems reasonably good, but what remains to be seen.

It could of course be a hoax, a giant eel or sturgeon, or even some alien creature (many people have reported seeing UFO's entering lakes in the past). Maybe this is one mystery that might be solved shortly, we shall have to wait and see.

http://newsblaze.com/story/20090920183351ianb.nb/topstory.html

Is Bownessie out there?

Photo: J. Edward Taylor

11:17am Tuesday 22nd September 2009

By Lizzie Anderson

AN UNUSAL water disturbance and a possible sighting have given further credence to the legend of Windermere’s mysterious monster.

Lakes TV’s joint director, John McKeown captured the strange ripples measuring around 20ft, while filming a documentary about “Bownessie.”

“I had gone up to the view point just before the Beech Hill Hotel to get some establishing shots of the lake,” he said. “As I was filming I saw this long white disturbance in the water so I zoomed in on it. It was quite striking but I figured it must have been caused by the cables of the Windermere Ferry.”

However, when he discovered the ferry was a mile and a half north of the area, his curiosity returned.

“When I got home I uploaded the footage on to my lap top and not only was the disturbance very clear but something actually breaks the surface,” said Mr McKeown, who describes himself as being naturally sceptical. “Essentially, it was a strange pattern in the water, it wasn’t a wave or anything like that. I shot the footage at 8.10am on a Saturday morning and there were no boats on the lake.”

There have been numerous reported sightings of a mysterious creature in the lake over the years, the most recent being in July when Lake District hotelier Thomas Noblett was hit by a three-foot wave while swimming.

In 2006, The Westmorland Gazette reported how Huddersfield University journalism lecturer Steve Burnip, of Hebden Bridge, saw a 20ft serpent-like creature emerge from the waters as he stood at Watbarrow Point across from Waterhead.

Keen to gather more evidence, last weekend, celebrity and sports psychic Dean Maynard and local photographer Linden Adams, who photographed and christened Bownessie in 2007, led a team of investigator out on to England’s longest lake.

Using state of the art equipment, a specially chartered yacht and a sonar boat, the team scoured the depths of Windermere hoping for a glimpse of Bownessie.

Freelance Journalist, Kim Inglis, was one of the passengers on board.

“I was looking at a flock of seagulls that were circulating above the lake about 100 metres,” she said. “All of a sudden something came out of the water and before I could say anything it disappeared.”

Her sighting was confirmed by a passenger on the sonar boat, who also witnessed a head emerge from the lake.

“I would describe it as a head but I wouldn’t go beyond that as you start imagining things,” said Ms Inglis. “I definitely saw something. I believe it was probably just a big fish but I still think the idea of Bownessie is fascinating and it has put the region on the map, which is a good thing.”

To watch Mr Mckeown’s footage, which has since been broadcast on Sky News, visit www.lakestv.net.

http://www.thewestmorlandgazette.co.uk/news/4641923.Is_Bownessie_out_there_/

Is Bownessie out there?

Photo: J. Edward Taylor

11:17am Tuesday 22nd September 2009

By Lizzie Anderson

AN UNUSAL water disturbance and a possible sighting have given further credence to the legend of Windermere’s mysterious monster.

Lakes TV’s joint director, John McKeown captured the strange ripples measuring around 20ft, while filming a documentary about “Bownessie.”

“I had gone up to the view point just before the Beech Hill Hotel to get some establishing shots of the lake,” he said. “As I was filming I saw this long white disturbance in the water so I zoomed in on it. It was quite striking but I figured it must have been caused by the cables of the Windermere Ferry.”

However, when he discovered the ferry was a mile and a half north of the area, his curiosity returned.

“When I got home I uploaded the footage on to my lap top and not only was the disturbance very clear but something actually breaks the surface,” said Mr McKeown, who describes himself as being naturally sceptical. “Essentially, it was a strange pattern in the water, it wasn’t a wave or anything like that. I shot the footage at 8.10am on a Saturday morning and there were no boats on the lake.”

There have been numerous reported sightings of a mysterious creature in the lake over the years, the most recent being in July when Lake District hotelier Thomas Noblett was hit by a three-foot wave while swimming.

In 2006, The Westmorland Gazette reported how Huddersfield University journalism lecturer Steve Burnip, of Hebden Bridge, saw a 20ft serpent-like creature emerge from the waters as he stood at Watbarrow Point across from Waterhead.

Keen to gather more evidence, last weekend, celebrity and sports psychic Dean Maynard and local photographer Linden Adams, who photographed and christened Bownessie in 2007, led a team of investigator out on to England’s longest lake.

Using state of the art equipment, a specially chartered yacht and a sonar boat, the team scoured the depths of Windermere hoping for a glimpse of Bownessie.

Freelance Journalist, Kim Inglis, was one of the passengers on board.

“I was looking at a flock of seagulls that were circulating above the lake about 100 metres,” she said. “All of a sudden something came out of the water and before I could say anything it disappeared.”

Her sighting was confirmed by a passenger on the sonar boat, who also witnessed a head emerge from the lake.

“I would describe it as a head but I wouldn’t go beyond that as you start imagining things,” said Ms Inglis. “I definitely saw something. I believe it was probably just a big fish but I still think the idea of Bownessie is fascinating and it has put the region on the map, which is a good thing.”

To watch Mr Mckeown’s footage, which has since been broadcast on Sky News, visit www.lakestv.net.

http://www.thewestmorlandgazette.co.uk/news/4641923.Is_Bownessie_out_there_/

Mythical beast is ‘spotted’ in Windermere

15:19, Wednesday, 23 September 2009

TALES of a mythical creature rumoured to be lurking in the depths of South Lakeland waters have been causing a stir.

Click here to see the footage

The so-called “Bownessie” is fast becoming part of modern Lake District folklore, as reported sightings of the fabled creature continue to be made.

Footage that some people believe appears to show the creature causing ripples in the surface of Windermere was shot by Lakes TV cameraman John McKeown on Saturday.

It has since appeared on Sky News on Sunday evening and American TV network giant CBS is also interested in the story.

People in Windermere are not convinced Bownessie actually exists.

But they believe it could be good for the town’s tourist economy if the legend can capture the imagination of visitors in a similar way to the Loch Ness monster.

Councillor Bill Smith, mayor of Windermere, said: “If they believe it’s actually there, I’m sure it will attract them to come and see.

“Anything that draws interest and awareness to the Lake District has to be a positive opportunity.

“I don’t think the term monster is the best expression of an animal living in the lake that could be of interest.

“It suggests something nasty, not something that could be attractive and positive.

“Bownessie conjures up something that’s a bit more cute.

“The people that have seen it believe genuinely they have seen something, even if there is no real proof yet.

“But let’s be honest, it’s far better for Loch Ness that they’ve never located it because it helps perpetuate the belief.”

Paul Holdsworth, Windermere town centre manager, says the Bownessie phenomenon is the latest in a long line of Lake District mythologies.

He said: “Probably the longest standing one is Tizzie Wizzie, which was first spotted by a Bowness boatman around 1900 and he used to tell stories of this extraordinary creature.

“It was said to have the body of a hedgehog, tail of a squirrel and a pair of bee-like wings and was a shy, water-loving creature.

“So, for the sceptics who think Bownessie is something to get the tourists in, this tale has already been around for over a hundred years. There is nothing new under the sun perhaps.”

Jacqui O’Connor, press officer for Windermere Lakes Cruises, said: “Our vessels sail up and down the lake 364 days a year and we have never seen anything unusual.

“However, our skippers remain alert as always.”

Windermere myth and legend

GYLPIN’S wild boar – A wild boar is said to have terrorised pilgrims who entered the woods between Kendal and Windermere in the 12th century.

Richard de Gylpin killed the boar and was rewarded with the manor of Kentmere.The white horse of Windermere – It is said a ghostly white horse walks on the water from shore to shore when harm is about to come to the homes around the lake.

The Crier of Claife – Centuries ago, ferrymen at Ferry Nab often heard strange calls for the boat to come across the water, but were too afraid to go. A monk exorcised the ghost and confined it to the quarry and woods. But there are still tales of walkers being followed by a hooded figure at Claife.

http://www.nwemail.co.uk/news/mythical_beast_is_spotted_in_lake_windermere_1_614951?referrerPath=news

Mythical beast is ‘spotted’ in Windermere

15:19, Wednesday, 23 September 2009

TALES of a mythical creature rumoured to be lurking in the depths of South Lakeland waters have been causing a stir.

Click here to see the footage

The so-called “Bownessie” is fast becoming part of modern Lake District folklore, as reported sightings of the fabled creature continue to be made.

Footage that some people believe appears to show the creature causing ripples in the surface of Windermere was shot by Lakes TV cameraman John McKeown on Saturday.

It has since appeared on Sky News on Sunday evening and American TV network giant CBS is also interested in the story.

People in Windermere are not convinced Bownessie actually exists.

But they believe it could be good for the town’s tourist economy if the legend can capture the imagination of visitors in a similar way to the Loch Ness monster.

Councillor Bill Smith, mayor of Windermere, said: “If they believe it’s actually there, I’m sure it will attract them to come and see.

“Anything that draws interest and awareness to the Lake District has to be a positive opportunity.

“I don’t think the term monster is the best expression of an animal living in the lake that could be of interest.

“It suggests something nasty, not something that could be attractive and positive.

“Bownessie conjures up something that’s a bit more cute.

“The people that have seen it believe genuinely they have seen something, even if there is no real proof yet.

“But let’s be honest, it’s far better for Loch Ness that they’ve never located it because it helps perpetuate the belief.”

Paul Holdsworth, Windermere town centre manager, says the Bownessie phenomenon is the latest in a long line of Lake District mythologies.

He said: “Probably the longest standing one is Tizzie Wizzie, which was first spotted by a Bowness boatman around 1900 and he used to tell stories of this extraordinary creature.

“It was said to have the body of a hedgehog, tail of a squirrel and a pair of bee-like wings and was a shy, water-loving creature.

“So, for the sceptics who think Bownessie is something to get the tourists in, this tale has already been around for over a hundred years. There is nothing new under the sun perhaps.”

Jacqui O’Connor, press officer for Windermere Lakes Cruises, said: “Our vessels sail up and down the lake 364 days a year and we have never seen anything unusual.

“However, our skippers remain alert as always.”

Windermere myth and legend

GYLPIN’S wild boar – A wild boar is said to have terrorised pilgrims who entered the woods between Kendal and Windermere in the 12th century.

Richard de Gylpin killed the boar and was rewarded with the manor of Kentmere.The white horse of Windermere – It is said a ghostly white horse walks on the water from shore to shore when harm is about to come to the homes around the lake.

The Crier of Claife – Centuries ago, ferrymen at Ferry Nab often heard strange calls for the boat to come across the water, but were too afraid to go. A monk exorcised the ghost and confined it to the quarry and woods. But there are still tales of walkers being followed by a hooded figure at Claife.

http://www.nwemail.co.uk/news/mythical_beast_is_spotted_in_lake_windermere_1_614951?referrerPath=news

'Monster of the deep' is filmed

By LEON WATSON
Published: 26 Sep 2009

SCIENTISTS believe this incredible footage could show a mysterious monster lurking beneath one of the deepest lakes in the British Isles.

Jonathan Downes, 50, spotted the "creature" thrashing around in one of the Lakes of Killarney in County Kerry, Ireland, while on holiday last week.

His eerie sighting was in the Upper Lake one of three interlinked lakes that make up the area.

The mystery comes just a few years after bizarre unexplained sonar recordings showing a large body were made in the adjoining Muckross Lake.

Along with his wife and friends who also had cameras, Mr Downes, from Crediton, Devon, managed to capture shapes moving across part of the lake.

Mr Downes, who is director at the Centre for Fortean Zoology, said that he had heard of the sonar reading before visiting the lake, but was "ridiculously" lucky to see anything.
He said: "I was actually there with my wife and a friend on holiday.

"All I knew is what I've read and having spent an hour on Thursday night looking down on it.

"What we saw was a thing about nine to 10ft long.

"I'd love to say I saw long necks and humps and things but I didn't."

Mr Downes, who studies cryptozoology - which investigates unknown species of animals, described seeing what he see described as appearing to be "a long thin eel-like creature appearing about 10ft long".

"I believe it must be a large eel," he said. "It was a pale colour.

"What I saw didn't actually really come out on the picture as well."

Pat Foley, deputy regional manager of National Park and Wildlife Service, which oversees Killarney National Park, said that there has been some unusual readings taken about six years ago, which indicated an unknown figure in Muckross Lake.

"I think it was about 2003 there was a survey taken," he said.

"They were getting some sort of strange picture coming back.

"The image was a large and dark blob which I presume, for economic reasons, was described as a monster."

The Lakes of Killarney have much in common with Loch Ness - home of the world's most famous monster - just across the Irish Sea in Scotland.

Both are large very deep lakes with similar fish species including Arctic char.

Loch Ness is the deepest lake in Britain, whilst Muckross Lake measures up to 70m deep, is along with Lough Leane, Ireland's deepest lake.

At the time of the sonar findings in Muckross Lake in Paddy O'Sullivan, Killarney National Park manager for the National Parks and Wildlife Service said: "I am very excited by these findings and am delighted that the ancient fish community of these lakes are being examined by the Irish Char Conservation Group and scientists from around the world.

"These interesting findings can only be good for Killarney from a public awareness and a tourism point of view.

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/weird/2656419/Monster-of-the-deep-is-filmed.html

"Whatever the thing turns out to be it will be afforded our fullest protection under EU law as the Muckross forms part of a Special Area of Conservation."

'Monster of the deep' is filmed

By LEON WATSON
Published: 26 Sep 2009

SCIENTISTS believe this incredible footage could show a mysterious monster lurking beneath one of the deepest lakes in the British Isles.

Jonathan Downes, 50, spotted the "creature" thrashing around in one of the Lakes of Killarney in County Kerry, Ireland, while on holiday last week.

His eerie sighting was in the Upper Lake one of three interlinked lakes that make up the area.

The mystery comes just a few years after bizarre unexplained sonar recordings showing a large body were made in the adjoining Muckross Lake.

Along with his wife and friends who also had cameras, Mr Downes, from Crediton, Devon, managed to capture shapes moving across part of the lake.

Mr Downes, who is director at the Centre for Fortean Zoology, said that he had heard of the sonar reading before visiting the lake, but was "ridiculously" lucky to see anything.
He said: "I was actually there with my wife and a friend on holiday.

"All I knew is what I've read and having spent an hour on Thursday night looking down on it.

"What we saw was a thing about nine to 10ft long.

"I'd love to say I saw long necks and humps and things but I didn't."

Mr Downes, who studies cryptozoology - which investigates unknown species of animals, described seeing what he see described as appearing to be "a long thin eel-like creature appearing about 10ft long".

"I believe it must be a large eel," he said. "It was a pale colour.

"What I saw didn't actually really come out on the picture as well."

Pat Foley, deputy regional manager of National Park and Wildlife Service, which oversees Killarney National Park, said that there has been some unusual readings taken about six years ago, which indicated an unknown figure in Muckross Lake.

"I think it was about 2003 there was a survey taken," he said.

"They were getting some sort of strange picture coming back.

"The image was a large and dark blob which I presume, for economic reasons, was described as a monster."

The Lakes of Killarney have much in common with Loch Ness - home of the world's most famous monster - just across the Irish Sea in Scotland.

Both are large very deep lakes with similar fish species including Arctic char.

Loch Ness is the deepest lake in Britain, whilst Muckross Lake measures up to 70m deep, is along with Lough Leane, Ireland's deepest lake.

At the time of the sonar findings in Muckross Lake in Paddy O'Sullivan, Killarney National Park manager for the National Parks and Wildlife Service said: "I am very excited by these findings and am delighted that the ancient fish community of these lakes are being examined by the Irish Char Conservation Group and scientists from around the world.

"These interesting findings can only be good for Killarney from a public awareness and a tourism point of view.

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/weird/2656419/Monster-of-the-deep-is-filmed.html

"Whatever the thing turns out to be it will be afforded our fullest protection under EU law as the Muckross forms part of a Special Area of Conservation."

Mysterious shape that looks a loch like Nessie

By Jason O'Brien
Saturday September 26 2009

IS THAT a monster's tail, or might it be more accurately described as a tall tale?

An English zoologist is in little doubt. Jonathan Downes (50) believes that he has pictorial evidence of something very much out of the ordinary lurking in one of Ireland's most picturesque lakes last week.

Mr Downes, a cryptozoologist who investigates unknown species, was holidaying in Killarney when he captured the ambiguous shapes as he looked down on one of the area's famous lakes from a nearby hill.

The scientist maintained yesterday that he had previously heard of bizarre sonar recordings made in the adjoining Muckross Lake about five years ago, adding that he was "ridiculously" lucky to see anything.

"I was actually there with my wife and a friend on holiday," Mr Downes said.

"What we saw was a thing about 9ft to 10ft long.

"I'd love to say I saw long necks and humps and things but I didn't."

Mr Downes, who is director at the Centre for Fortean Zoology in Devon, went on to describe the object as "a long, thin eel-like creature" that was pale in colour.

"I believe it must be a large eel," he said. "What I saw didn't actually really come out on the picture as well."

The shape was spotted in the Upper Lake 10 days ago by Mr Downes and his wife, Corinna, who were almost a quarter of a mile away at a popular beauty spot.

"It was really sort of a calm day -- not much breeze or anything," she said.

"All of a sudden there were these swirls on the water.

"It looked like something was breaking the water on top, you could see a torpedo-like trail."

But not everybody is buying into the Killarney Lake Monster theory.

Pat Foley, deputy regional manager of the National Park and Wildlife Service (NPWS) which oversees the national park, told the Irish Independent that there had been a similar story in 2003.

"That brought about great excitement in the area, and certainly didn't do the local economy any harm," Mr Foley said.

"A survey came back with some strange pictures of a large blob near the lake floor, and pretty soon we had a 'monster' on our hands.

"But it turned out to be a little bit more mundane than that. It was a shoal of Arctic char."
- Jason O'Brien