Pacific Sail fish, Rate Visitor, Caught At Pataua

Northern Advocate, 11 March 1948, Page 7

Pacific Sail fish, Rate Visitor, Caught At Pataua

OTEHEI BAY, Thu. (Sp.).—The 411 b swordfish which came ashore at Pataua some tin;e ago has been identified from photographs as an extremely rare visitor to New Zealand waters. It was a Pacific sailfish and, as far as can be ascertained, is the first to be found on the Dominion’s coastline.

When the first information of the fish was obtained lack of details prevented its proper identification. When an Advocate reporter visited Otehei Bay a week ago, the Yale Research Expedition’s icthyologist (Mr J. Morrow) expressed ins interest in the fish Inquiries were then made in Whangarei and. as a result, two photographs of the fish were obtained, and its identity as a Pacific sailfish was definitely established. FIGHTING QUALITIES Scientifically known as Isliophorus greyi, this species of sailfish reaches a weight of more than 2001 b. The world record for all ackle is 22110, this fish being taken in the Galapagos group. Sailfish are found on .the American coastline and are recognised as a game fish of rare fighting qualities. They are considerably longer, in proportion to their depth, than a marlin and possess a characteristic elongated dorsal fin which extends high above the back. The bill of the sailfish is shorten than that of a marlin, but its colouring is similar.