STRANGE GIANT FISH

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXII, Issue 11450, 26 February 1931, Page 3

STRANGE GIANT FISH

RESEMBLANCE TO A SHARK

EXCITING CAPITRH OFF CAI’E

EGMONT.

FURIOUS FIGHT FOR FREEDOM

A g-iant fish of an unknown species was caught off Cape Egmont by New Plymouth fishermen las' week. It weighed from 7001 b to 8001 b. measured 10 feet from nose to tail and was six feet in girth. It had the mouth and tail of a shark, but no one was able to classify it.

Fishing was in progress near Capo Egmont when the catch was made. The fish fought furiously and •‘sl hours elapsed before it could be brought to the surface. A lassoo was caught round the head of the fish and another was placed round its tail. Trussed up in this way the fish pulled the launch liall'-a-mile toward the shore 1 efore it could be got under control. The monster was much too heavy to h“ pulled on board the T-jft launch and it was tewed to New Plymouth, where it was dragged on to the Ngamotu Beach.

The fish in some ways resembled a giant luumku and its body was covered with a rough dark brown skin. A black line ran along the hark from the nose to the tail. The Mesh imis very v soft. The tins were more like flappers than lius, while tin* head, which was two feet across, was blunt- and thick.