Shark could land girl a new record

Sivan Howe

A Russell girl who set out to catch a kingfish may instead have landed herself a place in the world record books for the biggest shark caught on a 6kg line.

Sivan Howe was one of several Russell School pupils taking part in the 46th Bay of Islands Swordfish Club International Yellowtail Tournament.

On the first day of the contest, June 7, the 12-year-old hooked a 17kg tope shark as long as she is tall. Her catch still needs to be ratified but is a potential world record for her age and the light (6kg) tackle she was using. The current junior girls' world record for a tope shark on a 6kg line is 14.6kg.

Sivan caught the shark off the boat St Moritz with Andrew Johnson as skipper.

A total of 110 anglers in 32 teams - including 20 juniors and 31 competitors from across the Tasman - took part in the tournament. Fishing took place on Sunday to Wednesday. Prizegiving is tonight at the club's Russell headquarters.

Conditions this year were described as excellent with clear skies and little wind, though the mornings were foggy and catching bait proved a challenge.

Russell School was joined in the junior division by teams from Kerikeri, Whangarei and Whakatane.

-If Sivan's catch is ratified it will become a new world and national record. The International Game Fishing Association ratifies world records and the NZ Sports Fishing Council ratifies national records. The process is likely to take a few weeks.