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May 26, 2012
Kurt Ove, 73, lands rare giant herring
Published: 11 May 10 08:30 CET | Double click on a word to get a translation
Updated: 11 May 10 11:37 CET
Online: http://www.thelocal.se/26574/20100511/
Kurt Ove Eriksson, a 73-year-old fisherman living in Bohuslän in western Sweden, made an unexpected discovery when he went down to his hut by the harbour - a 3.50 metre Giant Oarfish, last seen in Swedish waters 131 years ago.
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The unexpected find proved to be a very rare Giant Oarfish also known as the "King of Herrings" and reported to have inspired the myth of sea snakes.
The fish, which can grow up to around 12 metres long and weigh 272 kilogrammes, is typically found in the world's oceans, at depths of 300-600 metres.
The fish generally only comes to the surface when it is dead, as in the case of the 3.5 metre beast landed by Eriksson and his friends.
The fish is now being care for at The House of the Sea (Havets Hus) in nearby Lysekil while the authorities decide what to do with the exceptional find.
"It is totally incredible. I still have trouble believing that it has happened, it is unbelievable," said Roger Hansson at Havets Hus to the newspaper.
The only other time a Giant Oarfish has been sighted in Swedish waters was off Koster in 1879 and the new find has raised the interest of the Natural History Museum in Stockholm who are considering whether to preserve the monster fish.
Peter Vinthagen Simpson
news@thelocal.se
+46 8 656 6518
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Swedish word of the day
lång
adjective
Lång means long, tall and can be used for height, distance or time.
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Soon the only fish you will see in sweden are the dead ones floating to the top!
Erm Greg ....
The fish generally only comes to the surface when it is dead, as in the case of the 3.5 metre beast landed by Eriksson and his friends.
I think it's funny that they are "caring for" a dead fish and trying to figure out what to do with it. Well, duh! You only have two options: preserve it and place it in a natural history museum, or make a lot of sushi for a big dinner party. :P
Lysekil haha..I believe my friends fondly refer to that place as LAZERKILL! ;)
it does look fresh enough to be eaten!