L - R: Richard Peirce, Abbi Scott, Simon Spear, Miguel Gallego, Mark Boothman, Rebecca Coales, Karl Bennett, Leslie Guinn. (Absent - Shane Benzie)

PERSONNEL AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Organisers - Richard & Jacqui Peirce

Expedition Leader - Richard Peirce

Expedition members/Volunteer researchers - Abbi Scott, Mark Boothman, Shane Benzie, Miguel Gallego, Rebecca Coales, Simon Spear, Leslie Guinn.

Videographer - Simon Spear

SCS would like to thank:-

• Karl Bennett
• Julian Bolitho
• Marie Glossop (rescue torch holder)

OBJECTIVES

- Achieve underwater still Porbeagle images, and underwater film footage.

- Determine whether it's possible to cage dive with these sharks.

- Continue gathering data for our Porbeagle map of the area.

SITES

Only two sites were worked due to adverse weather. These sites were in the same general area as were worked in 2007/08.

WEATHER

Out of seven days planned only two were actually worked. This was due to an unsettled period of wet and windy weather.

CHUMMING

Fresh and frozen (minced) mackerel in both bags and bait tubes. Chumming conditions were not ideal on either of the two days at sea.

BOATS

July 10th - Lilly May II - J. Bolitho

July 16th - Mantis - K. Bennett

DAILY REPORT

Friday July 10th.

Three sites were chummed across Bude Bay. Conditions were choppy seas, intermittent rain, overcast all day with 15-20 m.p.h. winds. No sharks were seen, but conditions would have made sightings difficult were sharks there. 8 hours worked.

Saturday July 11th.

Cancelled - adverse weather.

Sunday July 12th.

Cancelled - adverse weather.

Monday July 13th.

Cancelled - adverse weather.

Tuesday July 14th.

Cancelled - adverse weather.

Wednesday July 15th.

Cancelled - adverse weather.

Thursday July 16th.

Two sites were chummed at the north end of Bude Bay. Incessant rain all day, choppy seas, 15-20 m.p.h. winds made the sighting of any sharks impossible. 9 hours worked.

CONCLUSION/NOTES

The 2009 Porbeagle expedition was effectively a non event due to weather conditions. Neither of the two days worked produced reliable results due to conditions.

N.B. It has been noted that this is the fourth year when there has been settled weather in May/June followed by unsettled, often unworkable periods during July/August with settled weather returning in September. For our 2010 Porbeagle work we will work on a weather reactive basis and go to sea earlier in June if weather conditions appear settled.

Well done to all those involved for their tolerance and patience displayed during the long boring hours sitting ashore.