[Previous entry: "ROAR OF THE WILD ...... Adventure girl; Lin Sutherland"] [Next entry: "BEFORE DIVE BOATS ...... The Surf Ski"]
17/02/2007: "AUSTRALIAN SKINDIVERS MAG. ..... Giant Groper issue 1964"
Back in those days most divers were spear fishermen. The challenge everywhere was for big fish. The giant Queensland groper the obvious ultimate quest.
In all tropical waters these giants, elephants of the sea inhabited every tidal river and underwater cave. Scores were taken and often wasted.
Just 25% of the fish’s original weight is recovered after filleting.
Peter Kemp (a world class spearman known for big cod catches) landed his 338 pounder near South West Rocks
In New Caledonia Gilbert Thong beat Peter Kemp’s world record with his 370 pounder.
Near Bundaberg at Elliot Heads, Queensland, a 420 pounder became the new record for a while until this was broken with a 438 pounder from the Kepple Island area.
Just what the record is today we don’t know. The fish is now protected, this has not completely stopped their demise.
An example being the almost tame groper killed during senseless sport by kids who didn’t know better at Beaver Cay, off Mission Beach, North Queensland.
The fish had been the pet of Captain Perry Hervey of Friendship charter boat fame.
The remains were buried at Beaver Cay as a memorial.
The value of such a tame giant fish, being fed daily, just under the surface to goggled-eyed day trippers is almost incalculable. A fortune.
Footnote January-February 2007:Four giant groper and a large black cod are to be seen at the Fish Rock Cave dive site off South West Rocks, New South Wales – with about 100 grey nurse sharks.
