In an unusual spectacle witnessed by astonished Barwon Heads locals on Wednesday, January 24th, a video surfaced capturing the sight of a 2.85 metre shark being towed on a trailer through the town. Such an occurrence is certainly not an everyday sight, leaving onlookers intrigued about the untold story behind this peculiar scene.
The colossal 240kg Mako shark was not a random catch but the result of the efforts of 28-year-old Wyndham resident and landscaper, Rhys Young, hailing from Wyndham Vale,and 28-year-old fishing guide Jae Peters from Barwon Heads. Peters and Young embarked on a day trip to Barwon Heads, launching their venture at 6:30 am and returning at 9 pm. Having been an avid fisherman since the age of 5, Young shared that this was “by far the biggest Mako I’ve caught in Victoria.”
Peters has been fishing for the past 25 years and has a Facebook page called “Join if you love fishing”.
The fishing expedition led them 6 km off the shore from Portarlington, engaging in an intense 6.5-hour struggle with the formidable creature. Eventually, the shark towed them back to Lorne, nearly 20 km offshore. Faced with the challenge of transporting the massive shark without the ability to lift it manually, the men resorted to using a trailer. With a sense of humour, Rhys Young remarked, “Haha had to stop at Thirsty Camel for a drink.”
As for the fate of the impressive catch, the shark has been meticulously processed and cryovaced, ready to be shared with family and friends. This unexpected encounter sheds light on the thrill and challenges of game fishing in Victoria, an activity that spans from Portland to Mallacoota and plays a crucial role in contributing to fishing-related tourism and job opportunities.
Mako sharks, known for being highly prized by recreational anglers both as a game fish and for their culinary appeal, also play a role in research initiatives like the Mako Shark Research Tagging Program by the Victorian Fisheries Authority (VFA). This incident underscores the excitement and significance of encounters with such majestic marine creatures in the waters of Victoria.
