Fishy surprise for thieves

Thieves who poached fish from a Northland research centre may have bitten off more than they can chew, as some of the fish have been dosed with hormones as part of a sex reversal study.

Scientists from the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research's aquaculture centre at Ruakaka, south of Whangarei, have warned against eating the fish, the Northern Advocate reported.

Niwa regional manager Michael Stobart said it was difficult to say what would happen if the fish were eaten, "but eating too much kingfish treated for sex reversal is the most scary aspect of it".