– I have never caught such a fish before. It certainly belongs to the rarities, says Roar Haualand from Jørpeland in Strand. Haualand is an experienced fisherman. On Friday morning, he woke up early at the cabin in Skipavåg in Vindafjord and went out with the boat to drag the net he set the night before. Roar Haualand caught this swordfish in the net. Photo: Privat And there was a fish he had never seen there before. – At first I thought it was a porpoise. But then I discovered what it was. I go out a lot with a boat and net, but I have never caught a swordfish. The swordfish he hauled up from Vindafjorden in Ryfylke was 1.90 meters long and weighed just under 20 kilos. Haualand has informed the Institute of Marine Research about the swordfish, and they are interested in tissue samples. Swordfish Fish species in the swordfish family. In the Atlantic, it grows up to 4.9 meters long and can weigh up to 450 kilograms. In the Pacific Ocean, it can be even bigger. The upper jaw and snout are strongly elongated into a flat, sharp-edged sword, which makes up approximately one third of the total length of the fish. Found in warm and temperate seas. But is now an almost annual guest on the Norwegian coast south of Trøndelag. Has also been taken as far north as Troms. The swordfish is fished both for its meat and as a sport fish. Source: Great Norwegian Lexicon Few observations in Rogaland Researcher Otte Bjelland at the Institute of Marine Research understands well that Haualand was surprised when he caught swordfish in his net. – I would be pleasantly surprised myself. Swordfish are observed or caught on an annual basis in Norwegian waters, but I cannot remember any sightings in Rogaland in recent years. Swordfish are found in all the world’s oceans, but have traditionally stuck to subtropical and warm waters. But in the last thirty years there has been a gradual increase in the number of observations also in Norwegian waters. – This is happening in line with the constant warming of the water in our areas. It is reasonable to expect that the swordfish will more and more often have Norwegian waters as part of their migration routes, says Bjelland. Vindafjorden is a fjord in Ryfylke in Rogaland, and is located in the municipalities of Tysvær, Vindafjord and Suldal. Think mobile phones must take some of the credit. The researcher also believes that a completely different factor comes into play when he sees that the number of observations of swordfish is increasing: More and more people have mobile phones with good cameras on them when they catch the fish. – The flow of information is faster now, people are quicker to report exciting observations. The Norwegian Institute of Marine Research is interested in getting hold of a swordfish that they can tag and follow over time. – It is worth its weight in gold for us if many people will keep their eyes open and report, says Bjelland. The swordfish that was caught in Vindafjorden on Friday morning. Photo: Privat And what will Haualand do with the swordfish? – I have divided it into chops. A couple of friends are coming to visit soon, so we’ll eat some of it at the cabin tonight.
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Roar Haualand caught swordfish in the net in the Vindafjord – news Rogaland – Local news, TV and radio
