SWORDFISH IN FIJIAN WATERS

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 100, 19 July 1927, Page 9

SWORDFISH IN FIJIAN WATERS

A GIANT CAPTURED SCHOOL IN KORO SEA Doubts often expressed as to whether the giant swordfish actually frequents the Fijian Islands are now set at rest by the announcement of the landing of a 3201 b spec, men in the Somo Somo Straits. The Somo Somo Straits lie between the islands of Tavenui and Vanua Levu. and it was in those waters that the Rev. Louis M. Desjardins, S.M.. of the Catholic mission. Wairiki, Tavenui, landed the giant fish while trawl - in#? with an automatic spinner. The fight lasted for about an hour, states the “Fiji Times and Herald.” Several times the fish was brought to the side of the boat, but tin.a and time again he resisted all efforts to haul him aboard. Before his head was secured in a slip knot, with another round his tail, he managed to rip the trousers of a native boy. at the same time knocking him into the water. On arrival at Tunuloa the fish was immediately weighed, and 3201 b was duly cut up and shared by everybody. Almost in the same locality, between Vanua Levu and Ivoro Island, in the Koro Sea. two large swordfish were also sighted by Mr. G. Barratt. On June 29. two days after the capture reported by the Rev. Desjardins. It is stated that the fish hung around Mr. Barratt’s launch all day. They were apparently about seven feet in length, coloured grey on top, with a very pretty blue or green about the tail. Unfortunately there was no line or spinnenr aboard the launch, otherwise an attempt at capture would have been made. It is stated that swordfish have been caught from time to time by vessels plying on the inter-island trips, and evidently they are now becoming more numerous than hitherto.