South Coast anglers catch and release coffin ray
To swallow large prey whole, the coffin ray is able to expand its mouth. Image: Steve Ker.
Three fishermen were so surprised they could have been shocked, after a rare catch at Batemans Bay Marina recently.
It was the kind of shock that could make an arm go numb.
Batemans Bay's Joseph Chalouhi, Ricky Wharepouri and Sydney's Steve Ker came across an interesting-looking ray on December 28.
"Everyone was crowding around; no one had seen anything like it before," Mr Ker said.
"It was very cool."
Not knowing what they hooked, Mr Chalouhi and Mr Wharepouri worked to release the coffin ray, also known as a numb ray.
Electric ray: Batemans Bay's Joseph Chalouhi and Ricky Wharepouri reel in a surprise species of ray - one they later learn could have given them a nasty shock. Image: Steve Ker.
"I had never seen anything like it, but apparently if you touch it, it paralyses you and can be quite dangerous," Mr Ker said.
"We didn't know at the time, so we got the hook out with some pliers.
"It wasn't until we read up about it after - it says not to do that, but instead cut the line and keep your hands away.
"We were lucky there were no injuries and it got away safely."
The coffin ray is native to Australian waters, yet rare to find as it often hides under sand or at the bottom of muddy estuaries.
The coffin ray is found on sand and mud bottoms in shallow bays and estuaries, but is also known to depths over 200m, says the Australian Museum. Image: Steve Ker.
The Australian Museum said the species was well-known to divers as one not to touch!
Using an organ in each pectoral fin, the coffin ray can deliver a powerful electric shock to anyone who touches it.
Its shock is a defense and attack mechanism for prey and predators.
Divers have known the rays to take on prey as large as a penguin, before they swallow them whole using their expandable mouths.
Visiting from Sydney, Mr Ker was fascinated by the extraordinary catch, and looks forward to his next family fishing outing.
"I come down every two weeks and love to fish around Batemans Bay, even through all this the rain over the past week we were still out fishing," he said.
This story Anglers lucky after shocking catch in South Coast marina first appeared on Bay Post-Moruya Examiner.
Comments
Discuss "Anglers lucky after shocking catch in South Coast marina"
Please note: All comments made or shown here are bound by the Online Discussion Terms & Conditions.