In August 2013 The Focus published a photo of a snake eel or serpent eel (Ophisurus serpens) found on a local beach. This led to a number of other local sightings including one near Rotorua.
Just last week Aucklander Wally van de Westerlo sent in this image of his unusual catch.
“I caught this strange looking snake-like fish in the weekend on a reef between Tiri Tiri and Rakino Islands,” says Wally. “I Googled the fish and found it on the Internet saying that a local man, Peter Farrell, had found one on the beach a while ago and you ran an article on this. I have attached the photo. The fish was also well over 2-metres in length.”
Though it was potentially a great conversation-piece, like a good fisherman Wally carefully removed the hook and returned it to the sea.
