Story: Deep-sea creatures

Big catch

Big catch

Seen here with a commercial longline catch, Richard (Dick) Baxter of Kaikōura also carried out deep-water fishing for research in the 1950s. With over a kilometre of line and 18-kilogram sinkers, he brought up unknown species of deep-sea sharks and other unusual fish from along the deep trench just off the Kaikōura coast and in Cook Strait. There were hairy eels, and fanged and phosphorescent fish with large green eyes and gaping mouths. Using a two-stroke winch, it took him three hours to haul the line and catch back from the depths into his open dinghy.

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How to cite this page:

Paddy Ryan, 'Deep-sea creatures - Exploration of the deep', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/5237/big-catch (accessed 29 March 2024)

Story by Paddy Ryan, published 12 Jun 2006