OUTSIZE CATCH

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 8, Issue 33, 15 December 1944, Page 4

OUTSIZE CATCH

9 FOOT SHARK

Nine feet in. length and four feet six inches round the girth were the measurements of an outsize (for tiiese waters) in sharks which was caught by 'Oliiwa Jim' at Ohiwa Harbour early on Tuesday morning. .The shark was brought into town the same day where it caused quite a stir among business people and others who were fortunate enough to see it. The shark which is believed to be of the Grey Nurse variety was caught on a line with a compara-* tively small hook from a flattie. Its power and strength may be gauged from the fact that although the boat was anchored with a patent anchor which will stand many times; the strain of an ordinary it was dragged for three-quarters of a mile before the fish tired.. Even then it was a three hour's task to pull it in and land it.. The skin of the 'shark when rubbed, was of the texture of coarse sand paper while an unfortunate swimmer caught in those waters would have, stood but little chance against the vicious mouth and razorlike teeth of the fish. It is reported that there is another of the same type almost _iden-» tical in size to the one caught still at large at Ohiwa.