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Hi Stuie, I've compared the pictures of Chris's fish with online guides and Peter Henderson's "Identification Guide", both at the time and today, and have a few observations that might assist. As you know, I studied and worked as a marine biologist for a time, though didn't specialise in rays and skates. - A fish's scientific identification is based on it's structure, not necessarily it's skin patterns or colour. which can vary with age and size; - Chris is a highly experienced angler, who has probably caught hundreds of blonde ray and quickly realised the fish was NOT a blonde ray, as it's patterns and colour might have initially suggested to most observers; - He took clear, detailed pictures and submitted them for identification from a reputable team of marine biologists, before returning the fish alive; - Based upon pictorial evidence alone, the marine biologists were "pretty sure" that it was a small-eyed ray (regretfully the short Press Release made this sound definitive); - For absolute proof, marine biologists would need the body, as would the British Rod Caught Records Committee, but Chris returned the fish alive. - The criteria to specifically identify a small-eyed ray look at the body structure of the fish and include ratio of eye spacing to eye-to-spiracle gap being at least double (passed), thorns extending from the tail half-way up the body (passed), white line on wing margin (passed), wing margin angle of around 90° (passed), short tail length relative to body length (passed); - The marine biologists also clarified that the "typical" white bands being missing are within the normal range of variation for this species. - Based on the burden of proof normally accepted by the Club, this identification is as good as we can expect without killing the fish. I guess there's two clear ways of moving forward with the media, either drop it and move on, or re-releasing the press release with clarification of how the identification was arrived at. Mike PS I think it was a fabulous fish, and commend Chris for returning it, and the diligent approach he followed. PPS Even if it beat me into second place in Fish of the Month for December

Blimey I didn’t expect all this for a ray, looking like Trump may need to step in and sort it out!!! I had slight doubt about the lack of lines on the body and as mentioned they don’t always have them on older fish I was told. Ive caught a few blondes today and they are completely different once you compare them. I was only concerned it was right as it took the club record, sorry Colin. Thanks for the interest guys and thanks Stuie for your efforts to date, top man. 👍

Thanks for all that Mike - I'm leaving the release as it stands. Sadly the people who accept the release don't need to bother with facebook, only the vociferous minority who go into print.

My daughter had a Jigsaw made of that photo as a Christmas present. I just wish there has been a few clouds to make the sky easier!!!!

Moral of the story, only go out fishing when the sky is interesting if planning a jigsaw!

Stuie I agree with you, there is nothing to prove to outsiders as no national records are being sought. Let the keyboard warriors go whistle and ignore them

Looking good Brian only 997 pieces to go!!! 😂😂

Stuck in my engine room trying to fit a diesel heater . Good job I’m not claustrophobic !! And lucky I only put on 5lb over Christmas, otherwise I’d still be there !! Think I put my hip out about 4 times though climbing in and out !!! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk