iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Project FisHistory @projectfishistory.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

Herring or cupid? ❤️ Per Co Donegal festival customs It is said that if a girl buys a salt herring, and roasts it on the fire, and eats it in three bites, bones and all, and goes to bed - that in the middle of the night she becomes very thirsty, and her future husband will come and give her a drink

Handwritten text from page in a book that reads "it is said that if a girl buys a salt herring, and roasts it on the fire, and eats it in three bites, bones and all, and goes to bed - that in the middle of the night she becomes very thirsty, and her future husband will come and give her a drink"

010

Reposted by Project FisHistory

The Mariani Lab @marianilab.bsky.social · 29/07/2026

A taster of the @projectfishistory.bsky.social from @alecbmmoore.bsky.social, digging out some especially revealing #historical #ecological facts on #herring (never forgotten) spawning grounds in the #IrishSea. #FSBI2026

075

Project FisHistory @projectfishistory.bsky.social · 28/07/2026

FisHistory is off to the east coast of Ireland & Northern Ireland! 📆 When? 3rd-8th August 🐟 Why? We're keen to hear stories from communities where herring fishing was once (or still is) part of life If you know someone who might be interested, or you’d like to take part, please get in touch!

031

Reposted by Project FisHistory

Alec BM Moore @alecbmmoore.bsky.social · 23/07/2026

Putting finishing touches to talk on @projectfishistory.bsky.social - looking forward to #FSBI Southampton @thefsbi.bsky.social

084

Reposted by Project FisHistory

Catherine Duigan @cduigan.bsky.social · 04/06/2026

"Like any island there was always fishermen..." Resilient by #Nature - Stories of Self-reliance and Sustainability on #Rathlin Island. #oralhistory #envhist #AHRC @projectfishistory.bsky.social

062

Reposted by Project FisHistory

Alec BM Moore @alecbmmoore.bsky.social · 04/06/2026

Some interesting medicinal uses of herring🐟 in the mid-18th Century... @projectfishistory.bsky.social

131

Reposted by Project FisHistory

Lee Raye @leafyhistory.bsky.social · 17/03/2026

Book announcement!! 🎉 CREATURES OF STORY AND SONG looks through Britain’s stories and poems to rediscover our lost species. It’s time to remember what people thought about wolves, lynxes, great whales, great auks, sturgeon & more when they were all still here! 🐺🦫🐳💚 @reaktionbooks.bsky.social

Book cover - Creatures of Story and Song: Tracing Britain's Lost Species by Lee Raye. The cover is a dark turquoise or teal. At the top there is a picture of people and wolves walking together through a wood. They seem to be talking with each other. At the bottom there is a long spiky fish. This flier offers 20% off at www.reaktionbooks.co.uk - code is CSS26

912947

Reposted by Project FisHistory

Alec BM Moore @alecbmmoore.bsky.social · 13/02/2026

Really interesting study using royal hunting records to document diversity & abundance of mammals & birds in C18th Spain, with insights into historical decline of e.g. lynx @ystadaucymru.bsky.social @leafyhistory.bsky.social @projectfishistory.bsky.social @jangeerthiddink.bsky.social

194

Reposted by Project FisHistory

Archifau Prifysgol Bangor University Archives @archpbu.bsky.social · 02/02/2026

“Plan of the river at Conway in the county of Caernarvon" Map yn dangos Conwy cyn i pont crog Thomas Telford chael ei hadeiladu. Ar y map gallwch weld ynys 'Claimed by Sir Roger Mostyn Bart.' lle adeiladwyd tŵr gogleddol y bont Dyddiad: cyn 1796 Most/7289

0105

Reposted by Project FisHistory

Lee Raye @leafyhistory.bsky.social · 17/12/2025

I have a new paper out today in EARLY MODERN LITERARY STUDIES! In this one I talk about Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream. Here's a quick thread with some of my thoughts... 🧚‍♀️🐍 Link below to paper (freely available): journals.shu.ac.uk/index.php/EM...

journals.shu.ac.uk

Titania and the Things that Go Bump in the Night | Early Modern Literary Studies

173

Reposted by Project FisHistory

Alec BM Moore @alecbmmoore.bsky.social · 15/12/2025

Does your town (or any you know of) have HERRING🐟 in their coat of arms/flag? Please reply tagging in @projectfishistory.bsky.social if so! @thefsbi.bsky.social @icesmarine.bsky.social @ystadaucymru.bsky.social Ceredigion County (Wales) Great Yarmouth (England) Nefyn (Wales) Scheveningen (NL)

72414

Project FisHistory @projectfishistory.bsky.social · 12/12/2025

Fantastic visit to Cefas this week, chatting with herring experts and channeling our inner ‘Raiders of the Lost Archives’ 📖🐟 @cefasgovuk.bsky.social @johnkpinnegar.bsky.social @georginahunt.bsky.social @emilyphilly.bsky.social

074

Project FisHistory @projectfishistory.bsky.social · 05/12/2025

Hopefully lots of records on herring! 🐟

030

Project FisHistory @projectfishistory.bsky.social · 03/12/2025

Beautiful illustration by @bighippoart.bsky.social clearly demonstrating the ecological importance of herring to a variety of seabirds, fish and marine mammals, off Rockabill, Co Dublin

081

Project FisHistory @projectfishistory.bsky.social · 01/12/2025

Webinar alert! Join us for a project introduction, some early findings & find out how you can get involved. When: Fri 5th Dec, 10am (GMT) Where: Online (Teams) Schedule: 20-30 minute presentation + Q&A Interested? DM for a link to join!

11511

Reposted by Project FisHistory

Alec BM Moore @alecbmmoore.bsky.social · 27/11/2025

Great to see this new & important paper on ecological degradation and shifting baselines in The Gulf 🐟🪸 tinyurl.com/rhyrs2y7

082

Reposted by Project FisHistory

Paul Montgomery @stonefishweirs.bsky.social · 27/11/2025

Picture of stone #fishweir Gored Tre-Castle, in the Menai Straits, a large fish trap thought to be medieval exposed at low tide, near #beaumaris, #isleofanglesey, #wales #fishweirs #CoastalHeritage

081

Project FisHistory @projectfishistory.bsky.social · 26/11/2025

Back from a very successful trip to the IOM speaking with locals and visiting archives to piece together historical accounts of the herring fishery. We stumbled across these beautiful title page illustrations of marine biological station reports based on Puffin island in the late 1800s

2286

Reposted by Project FisHistory

ISWE @ystadaucymru.bsky.social · 26/11/2025

Huge thanks to Dr Gareth Huws for a wonderful lecture yesterday evening, using the Plas Newydd & Bodrhyddan papers at @archpbu.bsky.social to explore the operation of Irish-Welsh estates. Thanks to everyone who attended in person and online. A pleasure to co-host with @historicirishho.bsky.social

054

Reposted by Project FisHistory

Project FisHistory @projectfishistory.bsky.social · 18/11/2025

We're currently visiting the Isle of Man and and hoping to speak with any active or retired herring fishers on the island 🐟Tomorrow we're diving into the @manxheritage.bsky.social archives! @georginahunt.bsky.social @emilyphilly.bsky.social

0155

Project FisHistory @projectfishistory.bsky.social · 18/11/2025

0155

Project FisHistory @projectfishistory.bsky.social · 06/11/2025

This time last week our team were midway through an interdisciplinary research visit at the National library of Wales 📖 The marine scientists came away with a newfound appreciation for the art of deciphering handwriting! @ystadaucymru.bsky.social @leafyhistory.bsky.social @emilyphilly.bsky.social

051

Reposted by Project FisHistory

Alec BM Moore @alecbmmoore.bsky.social · 04/11/2025

New evidence in @science.org that herring🐟 spawn where they were spawned (natal homing) adds urgency to the work @projectfishistory.bsky.social is doing @sosbangor.bsky.social - identifying unmapped spawning areas using historical sources 📜 & living knowledge 🎣🗣️ www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...

science.org

Direct evidence of natal homing in an Atlantic herring metapopulation

Herring return annually to their natal spawning sites, highlighting the need for sensitive coastal management.

045

Reposted by Project FisHistory

Lee Raye @leafyhistory.bsky.social · 13/10/2025

The book is really interesting! From my history of nature perspective there's an account of the fishes caught at Scarborough 🎣, the herrings of Yarmouth ⛵(@projectfishistory.bsky.social), and a fun description of the lions of the Tower of London 🦁 (who were sent by the Emperor of Morocco of course)!

'The town is wall'd and moated round, except where it joins to the castle or the sea. The castle is of a vast extent, and stands on a lofty promontory, which runs far back into the sea. There are computed to be upwards of two hundred sail of ships belonging to this place, emplloy'd in different branches of trade; the fishery upon this coast being very considerable; particularly the herring, turbet, ling, cod-fish, haddock, fluke, whiting, mackrel, and lobsters, great quantities of which are sent every season to London'

131

Reposted by Project FisHistory

Paul Montgomery @stonefishweirs.bsky.social · 02/10/2025

Images of wood #fishweir wicker fence 2 meter tall on the shore #RhosonSea #ConwyCounty Borough, #Wales. Historical sources indicted used for seasonal fisheries for herring and mackerel late 19th century. 1/6 #maritimeheritage #oceandecadeheritage #coastalhistory

“Big Mackerel Catch at Rhos” Postcard https://www.rhosfynach.co.uk/history.htm

21810

Reposted by Project FisHistory

Georgina Hunt @georginahunt.bsky.social · 19/09/2025

It was great to present about our @projectfishistory.bsky.social research at #ICESASC25 and an honour to be on the shortlist for the best presentation! What a great week! @sosbangor.bsky.social @icesmarine.bsky.social

1115

Reposted by Project FisHistory

Jan Geert Hiddink @jangeerthiddink.bsky.social · 16/09/2025

We're using a very wide range of sources to patch together maps of where and when herring used to spawn.

041

Reposted by Project FisHistory

Jan Geert Hiddink @jangeerthiddink.bsky.social · 16/09/2025

Great talk on using historical sources to map herring spawning grounds by @georginahunt.bsky.social for @projectfishistory.bsky.social.

1115

Project FisHistory @projectfishistory.bsky.social · 05/09/2025

Guess where we’ve been this week! Hint: you might see a dolphin or two here 🐬 #destinationx #huntforherring #fishfriday

063

Project FisHistory @projectfishistory.bsky.social · 03/09/2025

Where are we today?📍Hint: it’s chucking it down! #herring #destinationx 🐟

031

Project FisHistory @projectfishistory.bsky.social · 29/08/2025

We'll be visiting ports in Mid-South Wales e.g., Fishguard and Aberystwyth next week (2nd-4th September). If you're from the area and know anything about the Irish Sea herring fishery (past or present), or know someone who does, please get in touch here or at fishistory@bangor.ac.uk🐟

022

Reposted by Project FisHistory

Alec BM Moore @alecbmmoore.bsky.social · 20/08/2025

Beautiful scientific illustration in a Government fisheries report, 1884 -Electric ray caught off Scotland -Herring measurements @projectfishistory.bsky.social

031

Project FisHistory @projectfishistory.bsky.social · 29/07/2025

HERRING & POTATOES 🐟🥔 Herrings and potatoes played a vital role in the annual prosperity of coastal communities such as the Isle of Man. In the 1800's unproductive fishing seasons and harvests left the poorest with no source of food and income.

Screenshot of newspaper article from 14/02/1828 in the Manks advertiser. "The failure of the herring fishery, and the great reduction in the value of agricultural produce, has affected every class in such a degree as to have reduced the island to almost a state of bankruptcy."

Screenshot of newspaper article from 24/04/1827 in the Manks sun. "There was never perhaps, a more trying season for the poor, than that which the last winter presented, the severity of which yet exists and will continue till Divine Providence supplies the herring and the potatoe"

Screenshot of newspaper article from 28/10/1826 in the Manks rising sun. "Distress in the isle of man- (Extract of a letter to a friend in Bath)- Douglas Sept 24- Our poor are in the most wretched state from the failure of the potatoe crops, and the utter unproductiveness of the herring fishery. Your friend Hughes is exerting himself, and, I trust will succeed in the laudable attempt he is making to rouse the gentry to ameliorate the miserable condition of the poor creatures who are at this moment suffering from disease and starvation. One poor woman nearly 80, he found yesterday on a bed of chips, without any covering but au old cloak, and the tiles actually commencing their work of destruction, for she was too feeble even to defend herself against so simple an enemy. .Another lie saw in a corner, with 4 naked children, without food. In short, be brings such accounts, as would open the hand of a miser, and draw the tear of compassion from the most harden'd heart. Soup is daily supplied to the poor ; but, alas ! these who have it in their power lo give are so few in this island compared with the vast numbers who are suffering the most absolute want, and the most abject misery, that without some pecuniary aid to assist us, our scanty supplies must soon cease."

045

Reposted by Project FisHistory

MBA Library @nmbluk.bsky.social · 14/07/2025

Happy #SharkAndRayAwarenessDay 🦈 To celebrate these important ocean dwellers we've selected two illustrations from William Yarrell's 'History of British Fishes', Third Edition, 1859. We have Torpedo marmorata, an electric ray and the smooth-hound, Mustelus mustelus

black and white illustration of the electric ray Torpedo marmorata. Dorsal view. common name on page is the old British torpedo

balck and white ilustration of the smooth-hound Mustelus mustelus

0114

Project FisHistory @projectfishistory.bsky.social · 07/07/2025

Thanks to NWIFCA, we've gotten our hands on some fascinating early 1900s reports from the Lancashire and Western Sea Fisheries Committee 📚These reports include notes on the timing and success of the herring fishery, the condition of herring, and a district map revealing historic herring grounds!

Passage from a book reads Herring- At Moelfre, the fishery was not good until December, when very good catches were made. At Benllach, large catches were also made in December. In Holyhead, the results were not up to those of last year. Herring have been plentiful at Nevin and Porthdinllaen, and in Tremadoc Bay. The value in this part of the District was £380, an increase of £211 over the corresponding period of the previous year. The herring were nearly all "shotten", but a good price was obtained for them. On the south side of Cardigan Bay, the herring season has last year been a failure.

Passage from a book reads Herring - In Cardigan and Tremadoc Bays the herring season has been a total failure. When the Committee has more funds at its disposal an investigation should be conducted into the causes of the fluctuation of the herring fisheries. In Tremadoc Bay the fishermen are of opinion that large shoals of herring were in the Bay when the weather was too wild to allow of fishing. On the North Wales coast some very good catches were made at Holyhead, and at Moelfre larger catches were made than in 1909.

Bookshelf containing Lancashire and Western Sea Fisheries Committee annual reports from early 1900s.

Map of Lancashire and Western Sea Fisheries Committee zoomed in on the Llyn peninsula.

0113

Project FisHistory @projectfishistory.bsky.social · 04/07/2025

Had a great trip to NW England last week! One highlight was our visit to Fleetwood Maritime Museum ⚓⛵ where staff and volunteers picked out a few hidden gems for us — including Close’s 1904 fishing chart of the Irish Sea, marking historic herring fishing grounds! 🗺️

083

Reposted by Project FisHistory

Alec BM Moore @alecbmmoore.bsky.social · 04/07/2025

Great to be in the @britishlibrary.bsky.social earlier this week chasing sources on herring 🐟 for @projectfishistory.bsky.social @sosbangor.bsky.social Thanks @leafyhistory.bsky.social for the cross-disciplinary training in using this incredible resource! @ukri.org

0123

Reposted by Project FisHistory

Alec BM Moore @alecbmmoore.bsky.social · 01/07/2025

Newspaper archives for marine biology research Amongst crossword puzzles & sports news are fragments of evidence we can piece together to understand change b4 scientific surveys started Species, date, location, size-all data points for analysis In this case, on marine megafauna we have lost

054

Reposted by Project FisHistory

Alec BM Moore @alecbmmoore.bsky.social · 26/06/2025

Fish folk - any idea what glassen is the old name for? @projectfishistory.bsky.social @fishtwitcher.bsky.social @greenleejw.bsky.social

223

Reposted by Project FisHistory

Solway Firth Partnership @solwayfp.bsky.social · 24/06/2025

Herring Knowledge Wanted! Bangor University FisHistory Project is investigating the history of the Irish Sea herring fishery so if you know anything about herring read more at www.solwayfirthpartnership.c...

034

Reposted by Project FisHistory

Alec BM Moore @alecbmmoore.bsky.social · 26/06/2025

Online resources are great, but sometimes it is nice to be in an actual library looking at actual books for research Marine biology using historical sources @projectfishistory.bsky.social @sosbangor.bsky.social @archpbu.bsky.social @ystadaucymru.bsky.social @leafyhistory.bsky.social

0163

Project FisHistory @projectfishistory.bsky.social · 19/06/2025

We’re visiting NW England next week (23–27 June) to talk to locals from historic herring ports 🐟 If you’re from the area and know anything about the Irish Sea herring fishery (past or present), or know someone who does, please get in touch here or at fishistory@bangor.ac.uk

054

Project FisHistory @projectfishistory.bsky.social · 18/06/2025

Last week, we visited the Amgueddfa Forwrol Llyn Maritime Museum, which has an excellent exhibition on Nefyn herring 🐟, women of the sea 🙋‍♀️, and artefacts from other local fisheries 🦞. It’s a must-see if you’re in the area!

143

Project FisHistory @projectfishistory.bsky.social · 13/06/2025

The earliest printed map specifically of Wales was Humphrey Llwyd’s 1573 Cambriae typus 🗺️ It contains an intriguing reference to fisheries in Cardigan Bay “Hic halecum captura” – Here is the catch 🐟

051

Reposted by Project FisHistory

Alec BM Moore @alecbmmoore.bsky.social · 09/06/2025

For @projectfishistory.bsky.social we are using archives to help identify herring spawning habitat overlooked by modern surveys

161

Reposted by Project FisHistory

Alec BM Moore @alecbmmoore.bsky.social · 06/06/2025

" @icesmarine.bsky.social advises that no activities on spawning habitats should be allowed" Depends on knowing the location of past/present/possible future spawning habitat-what @projectfishistory.bsky.social @sosbangor.bsky.social hopes to achieve @ukri.org @oceanspast.bsky.social

012

Project FisHistory @projectfishistory.bsky.social · 06/06/2025

Wren hunting – on St Stephen’s day (26/27 December) – with sticks & stones – believed to result in good herring season 🐟🪶

Text from a page in a book.
St. Stephen's Day is distinguished here by a very strange custom: the hunting of the wren. Numbers assemble, by day break in the morning, with long sticks, with which they beat the hedges and bushes, till they start one of those smart, little birds from its evening re-treat. They they pursue it, with great shoutings, from bush to bush, till the little creature is so tired as to be taken by the hand, or knocked down by the stick, of one of its barbarous pursuers. It is then fixed upon the top of a long pole, to which is suspended a red handkerchief, by wat of a banner; and in that manner it is carried round about the town, in triumph,- which serves as a pretext for begging money, or liquor , from the inhabitants. If they can catch, or kill the poor wren, before sun-rising, they firmly believe that it ensures a good herring fishery the next season. What gave rise to such a strange, barbarous custom (which exists in every fishing town in the isle) I have not yet been able to learn: or why the tit-wren should be selected as the victim of that day; unless, from being the smallest bird upon the island, it is intended or meant as a proper sacrifice to the fairies

Historical image depicting the hunting of a wren in Wales and Ireland.

043

Project FisHistory @projectfishistory.bsky.social · 29/05/2025

📢 Calling all members of the fishing and seafood industry, historians, government and local experts! 🐟 Know where herring were caught, when they arrived, where they spawned, or how they were used? 🗣️ We want to hear from you! 📩 Contact fishistory@bangor.ac.uk

HERRING KNOWLEDGE WANTED
Project aims
We aim to identify herring spawning grounds in the Irish Sea by incorporating historical sources (e.g., old newspapers and fisheries reports), local knowledge and modern data (e.g., seabed sediment maps).
Information needed
• Where were herring caught locally?
• When in the year did herring arrive?
• Where did herring spawn?
• How were herring used locally?
We need YOUR help!
We are seeking anyone with local knowledge on herring, past & present.
• Fishing industry- active & retired
• Sea anglers
• Fish trade/seafood industry
• Historians- local & maritime
• Government agencies & NGOs
Area of interest: Irish Sea
Can you offer any information?
Or know someone that might?
Contact
email address: fishistory@bangor.ac.uk
bluesky: projectfishistory

CHWILIO AM WYBODAETH AM BENWAIG
Amcanion y project
Ein nod yw nodi mannau silio penwaig ym Môr Iwerddon drwy ymgorffori ffynonellau hanesyddol (e.e. hen bapurau newydd ac adroddiadau pysgodfeydd), gwybodaeth leol a data modern (e.e. mapiau’n nodi gwaddod gwely'r môr).
Y wybodaeth sydd ei hangen
• Ble yn lleol y daliwyd y penwaig?
• Pryd yn ystod y flwyddyn y cyrhaeddodd y penwaig?
• Ble wnaeth y penwaig silio?
• Sut oedd y penwaig yn cael eu defnyddio'n lleol?
Mae arnom angen eich help CHI!
Rydym yn chwilio am unrhyw un sydd â gwybodaeth leol am benwaig, yn y gorffennol a’r presennol.
• Y diwydiant pysgota - p’un a ydych yn rhan ohono ar hyn o bryd neu wedi ymddeol
• Pysgotwyr môr
• Y fasnach bysgod/diwydiant bwyd môr
• Haneswyr - lleol a morwrol
• Asiantaethau’r llywodraeth a chyrff anllywodraethol
Maes diddordeb: Môr Iwerddon
Allwch chi gynnig unrhyw wybodaeth?
Neu'n adnabod rhywun a allai?
Cyswllt
fishistory@bangor.ac.uk
projectfishistory

067