Madam, - Olivia Kelly (August 12th) highlights the dangers imposed by the lesser weever fish to swimmers. This fish also poses a major danger to sea anglers.
The lesser weever fish is a voracious feeder with a large mouth, and tends to feed on baits used for shore angling (ragworm, lugworm and crab). The fish is small - only 3 to 6 inches long. However because of its large mouth, it has a tendency to attack the bait, swallowing the hook in the process, making it very difficult to remove.
The lesser weever, as your writer describes, has an unmistakeable black dorsal fin. It also has two other fins on the underside which also have spines; these spines are equally dangerous. It must be noted also, that the spines are powerful enough to penetrate a rubber glove, so extreme care is needed in removing the hook from this fish.
The fish is common in all Irish coastal waters and is not just confined to the warmer waters of the south-west coast. As such it can be caught at any time by the unsuspecting angler.
There is also a larger version, the greater weever fish, which grows to about 16 inches long. This is more prevalent in the warmer waters of the Mediterranean, but it is worth noting that this fish has also been caught in Irish waters. - Yours, etc.,
ROBIN D. HEATHER, Seapoint, Dunbur Lower, Wicklow Town.