A YOUNG Secret Harbour teenager has reeled in a new personal fishing record after he caught a whopper 40kg black marlin off Ningaloo Reef.
The 16-year-old Comet Bay College student Troy Matthews was 3km offshore, trolling his way back from fishing with his father and friends out of Coral Bay, when he caught the 1.6m fish.
“The fish put up a scintillating 10 minute fight carrying out many aerial displays and a solid 200m run,” Troy said.
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“Matty Wirral, the deckman, was a massive help in hauling the fish, talking me through the fight and explaining what to do and what not to.”
Troy said he tagged and released the fish back into the water.
“The tracking information will be sent and recorded to the NSW Fisheries Department in Sydney where I’ll soon be sent a certificate on congratulations on successfully tagging and releasing the marlin,” he said.
“I want the sea life biodiversity to remain the same as what it is now to what it will be by the end of my lifetime.
“I’m a firm believer in the conservation of marine ecosystems across our beautiful nation and the world.”
Troy said the catch was an obvious step up from his previous best which was a 7kg catch – an Australian salmon off Pemberton.
“The black marlin was a catch of a lifetime,” he said.
The Year 11 student said he had plans to study marine biology after school and would continue to promote the conservation of marine wildlife.
“I want to gain further knowledge and to put back into the wild my enthusiasm about conservation and care,” he said.
“Although I love catching fish, I love watching them return healthily back into the water.
“In the future, whether it be a scientist or fisheries officer, I want to make a positive impact.”