Responsible local fisho’s encounter with globally endangered species

AN ENDANGERED bowmouth guitar fish has made a perfect picture for one Territory fisho, while sending an important reminder about best practices in dealing with endangered species.

Rhys Shearer caught this Bowmouth guitarfish, thinking it had to be a groper, before safely returning it back to the water. AFANT Chief executive David Ciaravolo said it was a great example of fishos doing the right thing. Picture: Supplied

AN ENDANGERED bowmouth guitar fish has made a perfect picture for one Territory fisho, while sending an important reminder about best practices in dealing with endangered species.

The endangered bowmouth guitar fish before it was safely returned to the water

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Also known as a shark ray, fisho Rhys Shearer said he was excited to reel in such a unique species, before going to the Amateur Fisherman’s Association to find out more about his catch.

“I was convinced it was a big (groper) after towing us around for over half an hour,” he said. “We were just so intrigued I had to get a photo with it and a couple of close ups.”

AFANT chief executive David Ciaravolo said, after being sent an image of the fish, they managed to work out it was a globally endangered species, with the help of CDU researcher Dr Peter Kyne.

“The popularity of the story shows how fascinated the community is with our marine life,” Mr Ciaravolo said.

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“This is a great example of people doing the right thing … returning it to the water as soon as it was caught and handling the weight with two people.”