HAMMER-HEAD SHARK

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 18, 22 January 1935, Page 6

HAMMER-HEAD SHARK

FISHERMEN’S CATCH. UGLY AND FIERCE. After an hour’s strenuous battle, a nine-loot Hammer-head shark was hauled alongside the launch Reliance by Messrs. Growcott Bros, on Wednesday, when eight miles off Netj Plymouth, states the Taranaki Daily News. The shark, one of the ugliest and fiercest of the species weighed 4501 b. and presented a fearsome sight when seen hanging from a crane at the port. Swimming round on top of the water, the shark snatched fish off the lines as they were being pulled up. As it was impossible to catch fish under such circumstances. the fishermen prepared a heavily-hooked 320 z. line. After the hook caught in a wina of the shark’s peculiarly shaped head, the launchmen were treated to the thrills nf big-game fishing. Broaching and diving, it circled the launch in a vain effort to escape. After an hour it was subdued and brought alongside. However, it was too heavy to lift aboard and had to be towed into port, where St was hoisted out of thp water on a crane. It is about the biggest of its species ever caught in Taranaki waters, where the hammer-head is rarely seen. The peculiar feature . of the hammer-head shark is the shape of the head. Instead of a bullet-shaped head, the ham-toier-head has two fleshy wings jutting out on the top jaw. On the extremes of these the eyes are set. In the specifaen caught by Messrs. Growcott. the eyes were at least two feet six inches ip*rt.