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Deadly stonefish discovered at Gold Coast Seaway near swimmers

A Gold Coast fisherman has pulled a large, potentially deadly fish from a popular local waterway, less than a metre from unsuspecting swimmers.

Elusive stonefish caught in Gold Coast lake. Vision: 9 News Gold Coast

A Gold Coast fisherman has pulled a large, potentially deadly fish from a popular local waterway, less than a metre from unsuspecting swimmers.

Josh Price told the Bulletin he discovered the stonefish on Saturday afternoon at the Gold Coast Seaway at Main Beach.

“(I) pulled it up straight past some people snorkelling,” he said.

A stonefish caught at the Gold Coast Seaway. Picture: Josh Price
A stonefish caught at the Gold Coast Seaway. Picture: Josh Price

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The stonefish is known as one of the most venomous fish in the world and can be found in shallow coastal waters along the Australian coastline.

Stonefish stings are extremely painful and potentially lethal.

Stonefish venom can be lethal. Picture: Josh Price
Stonefish venom can be lethal. Picture: Josh Price

The species is not uncommon on the Gold Coast, with three swimmers stung in one week at Tallebudgera Creek last year.

In 2017 a stonefish plagued the Evandale lake at Bundall for more than a month, with the fish — dubbed ‘Sharon’ by Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate — finally captured when the lake was drained.

The elusive stonefish is captured. Photo: Mayor Tom Tate
The elusive stonefish is captured. Photo: Mayor Tom Tate

A spokeswoman said Council does not usually handle stonefish reports, as the local waterways are managed by the Gold Coast Waterway Authority.

The GCWA was unavailable for comment.

Original URL: https://www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au/lifestyle/beaches-and-fishing/deadly-stonefish-discovered-at-gold-coast-seaway-near-swimmers/news-story/aa3c0dd1cc1ce70a2dfb7182f944856a