Catch of a lifetime: Sambro, N.S., fishermen harpoon swordfish in harbour
When the fishing boat Midnight Magic set sail on Friday, fishermen in Sambro, N.S., had little idea what kind of fish tale they would soon be able to share.
For the first time in 41 years, a swordfish weighing more than 200 lbs was harpooned and hauled aboard the fishing vessel from the Sambro Harbour by fisherman Grant Garrison.
(Courtesy: Cathy Deyoung)
Records show the last swordfish caught in those waters occurred on Aug. 21, 1981, by Paddy Grey. A newspaper that covered the event says that the fish weighed in at almost 600 lbs.
Records show the last swordfish caught in those waters occurred on Aug. 21, 1981, by Paddy Grey.
From a size perspective, some swordfish can grow over 1,100 lbs however, studies show the average tends to weigh between 50 and 200 lbs.
The newspaper article said Grey and his team were headed home when he noticed a shark-like fin along the ocean. After two hours and with the assistance of fisherman Danny Henneberry, the large fish was harpooned out of the water – an event that wouldn't occur again until 2022.
A newspaper that covered the event says that the fish weighed in at almost 600 lbs. (Courtesy: Danielle Henneberry)
By the looks of history, these catches have a record of being rare in the area. The first swordfish to be caught before 1981 happened 50 years prior.
According to the DFO says the Atlantic Swordfish Fishery started commercially in the late 1880s however, recorded landings dropped significantly in the 1970s when harpooning was replaced by longlines.
The U.S. authorities say Atlantic swordfish can swim faster than 80 km/h, making them one of the fastest predators in the ocean.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Prince William says wife Kate is 'doing well'
Prince William said on Friday his wife Kate was 'doing well' in a rare public comment about the Princess of Wales as she undergoes preventative chemotherapy for cancer.
BREAKING Canadian Blood Services apologizes to LGBTQ2S+ community for discriminatory blood donation policy
Canadian Blood Services issued an apology on Friday to the LGBTQ2S+ community for what it now admits was a harmful and discriminatory blood donation policy that prevented sexually active men who have sex with men and some trans people from donating blood and plasma.
BREAKING 'Just wait': Toronto mayor hints that WNBA team is coming to the city amid multiple reports
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow says that she is hopeful an announcement could be made soon amid multiple reports that a WNBA team is coming to Toronto in 2026.
Magnitude 4.2 earthquake reported off Vancouver Island's west coast
A 4.2-magnitude earthquake was recorded west of Vancouver Island early Friday morning.
Ontario coroner to investigate death of man who suffered cardiac arrest while waiting in ER
A provincial coroner will be investigating the death of 68-year-old David Lippert, who suffered a cardiac arrest while waiting in a crowded emergency room in Kitchener, Ont.
'Irate male' assaulted Newfoundland officers with block of cheese, police say
Police in Newfoundland say patrol officers were assaulted Thursday by a "very irate male" wielding a block of cheese.
Dashcam video shows terrifying near-miss on two-lane northern Ontario highway
There were some scary moments for several people on a northern Ontario highway caught on video Thursday after a chain reaction following a truck fire.
Average hourly wage in Canada now $34.95: StatCan
Average hourly wages among Canadian employees rose to $34.95 on a year-over-year basis in April, a 4.7 per cent increase, according to a Statistics Canada report released Friday morning.
This iconic Canadian song is turning 50
Andy Kim's 'Rock Me Gently' is marking a major milestone, as it celebrates its 50th anniversary.