Sign up for the editor's
weekly newsletter
- Sweden edition
- Change edition:
- France |
- Germany |
- Norway |
- Switzerland
Reader Offer
February 14, 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.
- Expert: kill more seals in Stockholm's waters (16 Jan 12)
- 'Shrimp shortage' set to spoil Swedes' New Year (29 Dec 11)
- 'Record' salmon pulled from Swedish stream (12 Oct 11)
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
What do you think? Leave your comment below.
Fark It!
Digg This
Share everywhere
Send to a friend
Printable version
Twitter ThisToday's headlines
GOTHENBURG SCHOOL STABBING
Man held for stabbing Swedish 10-year-old
A 28-year-old man suspected of stabbing a young girl in the throat at the beginning of February, has been apprehended and is being held in another country pending Sweden's extradition demand. READ »
Swedish man lay 'dead for weeks' in Lund flat
A man in Lund, southern Sweden, lay dead in his house for weeks before his body was discovered, as visiting care staff had left after the man failed to answer his door. READ (2 COMMENTS) »
Sweden expels foreign official: report
The Swedish government said on Tuesday it has expelled a foreign diplomat, but spokespeople were unwilling to confirm international reports that it was a high level official from Rwanda. READ »
THE LOCAL LIST
Sweden's seven 'sexiest' places explored
On Valentine's Day, The Local invites you on a journey of seduction through Sweden, a country which may be worth probing further when it comes to matters of love. READ (2 COMMENTS) »
Valentine's day in Sweden - readers' sweet tweets and love stories
With Valentine's day upon us again, The Local called for messages from the star-crossed lovers of Sweden, who sent us their loving letters and sweet tweets in a celebration of love in Sweden. READ (2 COMMENTS) »
Swedish tourist halted for having 'terrorist name'
A Swedish man set to take off on his "dream holiday" to Mexico was turned away before boarding, as flight officials claimed he shared the name of a wanted terrorist. READ (18 COMMENTS) »
Swedish man suspected of 'kidnapping himself'
A 29-year-old man in northern Sweden has been remanded into custody together with an accomplice after trying to extort money from his parents by pretending he had been kidnapped. READ (5 COMMENTS) »
Sweden at ’real risk’ of terror: government
The Swedish Government has penned a new terror strategy, upgrading Sweden’s risk status since the last plan four years ago, calling for an ‘inter-agency cooperation’ in the fight to counter terror in Sweden. READ (11 COMMENTS) »
More Science & Technology
- 12/02 Sweden approves medical 'marijuana' (20 comments) »
- 11/02 More snow set to blanket much of Sweden (6 comments) »
- 11/02 Sweden to blast fresh blood into space (9 comments) »
- 09/02 'Drunkorexia' on the rise in Sweden: report (9 comments) »
- 09/02 Two Swedes arrested for sex crimes in New York (42 comments) »
- 06/02 Outage leaves Swedish town without any heat »
- 06/02 Agency to cancer victim: 'go to social services' (11 comments) »
- 05/02 Air pollution worse than smoking mother: study (9 comments) »
- 04/02 Hackers mount Swedish government cyber attack (3 comments) »
- 03/02 Snow and cold wreak havoc over Sweden (1 comment) »
20 things to know before moving to Sweden
As diverse as Sweden is, there are a few societal norms that are distinctly Swedish. Understanding a handful of them will hopefully prepare you culturally before you relocate. When you're invited home to a Swede, you better be on time and take your shoes off, writes expat Lola Akinmade-Åkerström. Read more »
How far can English take you in Sweden?
Sweden is a country where almost everyone can speak English. So why bother to learn Swedish? Edina Varnagy from Hungary managed with English for a whole year but then found that Swedish could open doors – to a job, a social life and greater understanding. Read more »
Find a new job in Sweden now
| 14/02 | Data Warehouse Developer for DONG Energy IT DONG Energy |
Gentofte |
| 14/02 | Software Engineer (.NET) - Limited Contract Monster |
Prague |
| 14/02 | Software Engineer - Online EA DICE |
Stockholm |
| 14/02 | UX Engineer Monster |
Prague |
| 14/02 | Business Controller Michael page |
Göteborg |
| 14/02 | Purchasing Program Manager Volvo |
Göteborg |
Blog Update: Julie's Nordic Island
"The ice dripped in the winter sun. It was the first day when the light had been intense enough to cause dripping in the sunlight. To hear it was an extraordinary wakeup call. The cycle was happening again as it always does, always will (or so we think). I imagined that on my summer island, the bees..." READ »
- 11/2 09:27 Fika Quiz (The Swedish Teacher)
- 10/2 10:47 Reefer Madness (110% LAGOM)
- 07/2 12:55 Queen of Diamonds (The Diplomatic Dispatch)
Highlights
|
|
Swedish word of the day
fin
adjective
Fin means anyhting from sweet to proper. When someone says, Du är så fin it's quite a compliment.
Latest news from The Local in Germany
- 14/02 Merkel pledges more EU sanctions against Syria »
- 14/02 Six little pigs find new mum - a bulldog »
More news from Germany at thelocal.de
Latest news from The Local in Switzerland
- 14/02 Swiss stick with Swedish jets to replace fleet »
- 14/02 Geneva rents: World's 7th most expensive city »
More news from Switzerland at thelocal.ch
Latest news from The Local in France
- 14/02 Record year for French wine and spirits exports »
- 14/02 Police turn to France, Facebook in Norway gunman probe »
More news from France at thelocal.fr
Latest news from The Local in Norway
- 14/02 Norway killer and Dutch MP in fictional meeting »
- 14/02 Facebook and France in focus in Breivik probe »
More news from Norway at thelocal.no
Blog
New book about Sweden – get to know the country
Sweden – Up North, Down to Earth is a book about Sweden today. A country of natural beauty and open space, and a society focused on equality, human rights and sustainability. Meet regular and astonishing Swedes, supercars and indie rock bands, vampires and royalties.
Buy your copy of Sweden – Up North, Down to Earth from Sweden Bookshop
In cooperation with DoToday
Register
Register now for:
> Free use of noticeboard
> Special discounts
> Weekly news roundup
> Unlimited use of discuss
Jobs in Sweden, in English
522 jobs available
250 new jobs this week
45 new jobs today
- Financial Controller
- Business Controller
- Technical Sales Service Specialist (m/f)
- Software Engineer - Online
- Data Warehouse Developer for DONG Energy IT
- Build Master
- Line Manager
- Software Engineer - Gameplay/Audio
- Univar recruits Accounting Manager/Financial Controller to be based in Malmö
- Purchasing Program Manager
Noticeboard
- 13/02 Looking for a long term appartment
- 13/02 Babysitter
- 13/02 flat or room available
- 13/02 Party Photographer
- 13/02 Apartment Near Arlanda
- 13/02 Apartment Needed Immediately
Discuss
- 19:40 SFI - personal number loop...
- 19:19 E-Mail replies from Swedish Businesses
- 19:17 Upper abdominal pain
- 18:20 Need to replace windows
- 18:05 Women drivers & safety
- 17:52 Where do you live?
- 17:39 Big Fat Gypsy weddings
- 16:58 Volunteering in Sweden
- 16:01 What is death?
- 15:43 Tax deductible for rented property
Counseling in English
Individuals & Couples - Stockholm Beth Rogerson PhD - Clinical, Marriage & Family Therapist
Click or call 08-5580 1266 now
Individuals & Couples - Stockholm Beth Rogerson PhD - Clinical, Marriage & Family Therapist
Click or call 08-5580 1266 now
Doctor of Psychology
Therapy in English in Stockholm Trained in California Individuals & Couples (08) 93 81 48 FREE phone consultation
Visit anxiousorblue.se
Therapy in English in Stockholm Trained in California Individuals & Couples (08) 93 81 48 FREE phone consultation
Visit anxiousorblue.se
Get on the Tennis Court with www.babolatshop.se
The new Online Tennis Store with the largest selection of Babolat Products in Sweden
http://www.babolatshop.se
The new Online Tennis Store with the largest selection of Babolat Products in Sweden
http://www.babolatshop.se
Turning Point Counseling
Turning Point Counselling centre offers the international community of Stockholm a safe space for personal development, counselling and coaching.
http://www.turning-point.se/show.asp
Turning Point Counselling centre offers the international community of Stockholm a safe space for personal development, counselling and coaching.
http://www.turning-point.se/show.asp
Swedish Down Town
Swedish Down Town PR Consulting and Productions is an innovative business company which provides valuable assistance with Public Relations and Communications in the swedish and the international market.
www.swedishdowntown.com
Swedish Down Town PR Consulting and Productions is an innovative business company which provides valuable assistance with Public Relations and Communications in the swedish and the international market.
www.swedishdowntown.com
The Local's new Marketplace
Find products and services that are specifically focused on English speakers living in Sweden!
FULL DETAILS
Find products and services that are specifically focused on English speakers living in Sweden!
FULL DETAILS
English Speaking Therapist Stockholm
British-Australian Male Counsellor. Counselling Therapy for Depression, Mental Health, Sex, Relationship & Expat Issues
08-559 22 636 or CLICK HERE
British-Australian Male Counsellor. Counselling Therapy for Depression, Mental Health, Sex, Relationship & Expat Issues
08-559 22 636 or CLICK HERE
Your comments about this article:
The comments below have not been moderated in advance and are not produced by The Local unless clearly stated. Readers are responsible for the content of their own comments. Comments that breach our terms and conditions will be removed.
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!