Tiwi Islands Adventures twilight charter group land giant oarfish

Two Top End anglers have hauled in the catch of a lifetime and far more than they bargained for.

Tiwi Islands Adventures, a charter which runs unique and custom* fishing experiences off Melville Island, landed one of the world’s most elusive* fish during a recent moonlight session last week.

A long, slender beast with plate-sized eyes, a shiny silver body and a horse-like head, this alien looking animal is rarely seen by humans.

It is known as an oarfish and is incredibly rare.

Not much more is known about its life other than it is a filter feeder* and swims vertically at depths of up to 1000m.

The ancient-looking creature, which bears a passing resemblance* to the Loch Ness monster, is also known by its rather haunting nickname, “The Doomsday Fish”.

Thought to be a symbol and harbinger* of bad news, the legend behind the name comes from the belief that those who lay eyes on the fish have been sent a warning from higher powers.

“These fish can turn up anywhere but seem to prefer more temperate* ocean zones,” NT News’ fishing columnist Alex Julius said.

“It’s the first time I’ve ever heard someone land a fish like that up here. It’s also very rare to land one of these fish, most being found washed up ashore already deceased. Apparently they’re not that great eating either, having a gelatinous* like taste to them.”

News of the creature’s capture has also caused a huge stir online, with many believing the photo to be a phony and AI-generated*.

Posted three days ago on Fishing Australia TV’s Facebook page, the image has since racked up 1300 comments and more than 450 shares.

A seahorse was a common theme among commentators, with one declaring: “It’s Puff the magic sea dragon who lives under the sea isn’t it”?

Another added: “Well, I have seen Catfish and Dogfish and Seahorses (but this is the) first time seeing a Horse-fish.”

Some even joked the fish was actually just their good mate who’d gone walkabout.

“Name’s Crazy Horse, he’s from Adelaide,” one comment read. “I’d call it the Bogan Barracuda”.

“Looks like the fish version of the bloke at the pub who always has a wild story and an even wilder mullet,” another said.

POLL

GLOSSARY

• custom: designed with the individual needs of clients in mind
• elusive: difficult to catch
• filter feeder: a marine animal that takes in water and eats the tiny organisms living in it, like plankton, by filtering them out
• passing resemblance: looks like
• harbinger: a person or thing that announces the arrival of another
• temperate: ocean regions with mild temperatures
• gelatinous: having the feel and texture of jelly
• AI-generated: a fake image created using AI or Artificial Intelligence

EXTRA READING
Giant, smelly fish draws a crowd
Teen goes fishing, catches $1 mill
World’s largest fish caught in Cambodia

QUICK QUIZ
1. How deep do oarfish swim?
2. What creepy nickname has the oarfish been given?
3. What legend gave birth to the above nickname?
4. Where was this oarfish found?
5. Why are oarfish not very good for eating?

LISTEN TO THIS STORY

CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES
1. What if?
What kind of wild story could you write about the Doomsday Fish? Use information about the fish and your imagination to write an amazing tale!

Time: allow at least 25 minutes to complete this activity
Curriculum Links: English

2. Extension
Imagine that you are an oarfish. How would you feel about the way people talk about you? Write a letter to Kids News, on behalf of all oarfish. The purpose of your letter is to help humans understand what is interesting about you and why they should take you more seriously. Use information from the story and your research skills to help you.

Time: allow at least 30 minutes to complete this activity
Curriculum Links: English, Science

VCOP ACTIVITY
Read this!
A headline on an article – or a title on your text – should capture the attention of the audience, telling them to read this now. So choosing the perfect words for a headline or title is very important.

Create three new headlines for the events that took place in this article. Remember, what you write and how you write it will set the pace for the whole text, so make sure it matches.

Read out your headlines to a partner and discuss what the article will be about based on the headline you created. Discuss the tone and mood you set in just your few, short words. Does it do the article justice? Will it capture the audience’s attention the way you hoped? Would you want to read more?

Consider how a headline or title is similar to using short, sharp sentences throughout your text. They can be just as important as complex ones. Go through the last text you wrote and highlight any short, sharp sentences that capture the audience.