A RARE visitor to Port Coogee has fascinated beachgoers.
A swordfish, believed to be about 1.5m long, has spent at least five days around the jetty.
And while there were suggestions it was a marlin, Curtin University marine scientist Jordan Goetze identified it as a swordfish.
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READ NOWIts presence so close to shore was particularly unusual.
“They are normally open water deep sea species found on the continental shelf anywhere from the surface to depths of 500-plus metres,” he said.
“It looks like a small one given they grow to 4.5m so is probably sick or lost.”
The spear of a swordfish can be dangerous to humans, particularly if the creature thrashes about after being caught on a line.
Dr Goetze said the fish would not purposely attack a human in the water, but advised against swimming with it.
A swordfish uses its spear-shaped nose to slash its prey, weakening it and making it easier to catch.
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