Very rare deepwater fish is landed by Howth fishermen 

A NORTHSIDE fishing trawler returned to base recently with a rare deepwater fish. 

The ‘Eblana’ arrived in Howth with a Dalmatian-coloured dogfish while fishing 25 miles east of Howth. 

Declan Mac Gabhann, Sea Fisheries Inspector at the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SEPA), Howth Fishery Centre, said: “This is the first record of this colour pattern from the Irish Sea.

“The normal colouration is sandy brown which blends in with the seabed (see photo of Dalmatian and normal coloured below).  

“The Dalmatian dogfish is currently seeking a home in one of the public aquariums, possibly National Sealife Centre, Bray.”