– Now I’m going out and buy flaxlodd!
It says Arve Lynghammar, associate professor in the fiskebiologi at the Norwegian fiskerihøgskole, UiT Norway’s arctic university.
Even though he has good control of all the fishes that swim in the sea, discoveries of entirely new species in Norwegian waters is rarely cost.
Coincidences
It all started during a field trip in a shoreline for students in the fisheries and havbruksvitenskap at the University of Tromsø.
Lynghammar explains that he came in the chat with the student Berit Bugjerde. She has several years of experience as a fisherman, and be able to tell you about a strange fish they had during trawling in 2017 on the Tromsøflaket, outside Tromsø.
the Fish was a pitch-black, uerlignende case.
Berit Bugjerde have several years of experience as a fisherman, now study she of fisheries and havbruksvitenskap at the University.
Photo: PRIVATE Was sent to Bergen
– I asked the various experts and professionals, but no one could explain it. Not even the with the longest experience on the boat I worked on had seen anything like that before, ” says Bugjerde.
Nor Arve Lynghammar had seen the mysterious fish in the past.
I thought it could be related with another somewhat rare fish in Norwegian waters, brudefisken. But it is red, this was black, ” he says.
the Fish, as Berit Bugjerde had at home in the freezer, was sent to the museum in Bergen. They could reveal that there was talk of a Diretmichthys parini also known as dukatfisk.
It made two other discoveries of dukatfisk in Norway previously, just outside of the north Sea in 2015.
But are found outside of Tromsø is the northernmost known place of collection.
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– This fish is usually widespread in subtropical and tropical waters around the equator. The adults reside in the 250 to 2000 meters depth, and where it’s about as cold as in our waters. Thus, it can be a kind of explanation on why we could find it outside of Tromsø, ” says Lynghammar, who believes the discovery is not a result of climate change.
Life on board a trawler is is not just about the fish. Berit Bugjerde are happy to take pictures of the surroundings and the views from the boat.
Photo: Berit M. Bugjerde Recognition to the fishermen
– the gulf stream leads sometimes to the fact that it shows up funny, unusual species along the Norwegian coast. We do not find often new species here, so this is special, ” says fiskebiologen.
He indicates that it may be more dukatfisk is taken in Norway, but that the fishermen have not reported about the discovery.
Now encourages Lynghammar and Bugjerde people to speak up about special findings.
– We are the rely on to get the tips and observations of those who actually fish, ” says Lynghammar.
Berit Bugjerde believe the daily work environment is more enjoyable if you are a bit curious also.
– If you are interested in it you can find, so it’s much more fun on the job. If you have a little enthusiasm, I think the threshold for cooperation between fishermen and researchers are lower, ” she says.
Associate professor in fiskebiologi Arve Lynghammar was dead certain that this was a new fish in Norwegian waters.
Photo: UiT
