Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Century Old Fish Caught In Alaska
National Geographic ^ | 4-6-2007 | Victoria Jaggard

Posted on 04/06/2007 4:03:02 PM PDT by blam

Photo in the News: Century-Old Fish Caught in Alaska

April 6, 2007—A handful of Christians preparing rockfish as part of their traditional fish dinner this Good Friday might be feasting on one of the oldest creatures ever to live in Alaskan waters.

Commercial fishers in the Bering Sea recently hauled in the female shortraker rockfish seen above, which scientists say was between 90 and 115 years old. Researchers at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) used growth rings in the fish's ear bone, or otolith, to make their age estimate.

NOAA scientists also found that the fish's advanced years had yet to take a toll on its reproductive abilities.

"The belly was large," NOAA researcher Paul Spencer told the Associated Press. "The ovaries were full of developing embryos."

A Seattle, Washington-based ship caught the 44-inch-long (112-centimenter-long), 60-pound (27-kilogram) fish while trawling for pollock at about 2,100 feet (640 meters) below the surface. The massive mama was among ten shortrakers pulled from the depths along with roughly 75 tons of the smaller commercially fished species.

The fish's age and size both approach the maximum known limits for shortrakers. The largest on record measured 47 inches (119 centimeters) long, and the oldest ever caught was 157 years.

—Victoria Jaggard


TOPICS: News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: alaska; centuryold; fish; rockfish
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 41-6061-8081-100 ... 121-123 next last
To: Vn_survivor_67-68

With all those fishing holes you have enjoyed, you make me want to be your fishing partner. ;)


61 posted on 04/06/2007 5:24:22 PM PDT by Gator113
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 57 | View Replies]

To: Repeal The 17th
Are they this big?


62 posted on 04/06/2007 5:25:02 PM PDT by BibChr ("...behold, they have rejected the word of the LORD, so what wisdom is in them?" [Jer. 8:9])
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: martin_fierro

I could send you to a half dozen places serving Lutefisk in Fargo tonight.


63 posted on 04/06/2007 5:30:09 PM PDT by Last Dakotan
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: Gator113

I’m ex oilfield offshore trash, actually. Fished quite a bit from the old Cowlitz/Humptoolips up to the Samish, years ago, too.


64 posted on 04/06/2007 5:31:30 PM PDT by Vn_survivor_67-68
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 61 | View Replies]

To: Integrityrocks

My father-in-law holds the world record for Red Snapper - 50lb. 4oz. caught in 1988 I think.


65 posted on 04/06/2007 5:33:06 PM PDT by sinclair (The two most common elements in the universe are Hydrogen and stupidity.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 19 | View Replies]

To: blam

Looks like Helen Thomas.


66 posted on 04/06/2007 5:34:08 PM PDT by COBOL2Java (The most dangerous place in the world is between Hillary and the Oval Office)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: rabscuttle385

That’s one ugly fish.

Wrong post...the Nancy Pelousy thread is elsewhere.


67 posted on 04/06/2007 5:42:53 PM PDT by hardworking (Schucks, let Hitlery win the W.H. Afterall, we'll always be able to say we stood firm on abortion!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: blam
scientists say was between 90 and 115 years old

Yikes, I wish the scientists would tell us the toxic analysis on that thing. It's probably 50% mercury.

68 posted on 04/06/2007 5:43:16 PM PDT by FlyVet
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Hoodat

Now we know that photo of Helen is a fake because vampires sleep with the lid down.


69 posted on 04/06/2007 5:43:50 PM PDT by Brilliant
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 41 | View Replies]

To: Integrityrocks
Actually it was 1996. Doc Kennedy
70 posted on 04/06/2007 5:47:26 PM PDT by sinclair (The two most common elements in the universe are Hydrogen and stupidity.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 19 | View Replies]

To: sinclair

Doc Kennedy

World Record Red Snapper
50 pounds, 4 ounces, June 23, 1996

71 posted on 04/06/2007 6:01:13 PM PDT by blam
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 65 | View Replies]

To: martin_fierro; Fred Nerks; pcottraux; Berosus; Cincinatus' Wife; Convert from ECUSA; dervish; ...

On a scale of one to ten, I rate this a four. Sometimes I think all these reporters are from the same school. We’ve got these stories up to the gills. And they’ve all got the same hook. It’s wearing a little fin.


72 posted on 04/06/2007 6:03:31 PM PDT by SunkenCiv (I last updated my profile on Monday, April 2, 2007. https://secure.freerepublic.com/donate/)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: blam

Yep, that be him.


73 posted on 04/06/2007 6:09:21 PM PDT by sinclair (The two most common elements in the universe are Hydrogen and stupidity.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 71 | View Replies]

To: SunkenCiv; mikrofon; Charles Henrickson

They get it rayt once in a whale.


74 posted on 04/06/2007 6:14:39 PM PDT by martin_fierro (I walrus say that)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 72 | View Replies]

To: blam; BibChr; Bob J; eastforker
That was an inside joke on Eastforker, who is one of FR's very own:
See this thread:"Catfish are Running"

75 posted on 04/06/2007 6:17:55 PM PDT by Repeal The 17th
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 14 | View Replies]

To: Vision
[ I love it when newseys get things wrong. That’s a snapper, not a rockfish=stripped bass. ]

NOPE snappers live in the Caribean around Florida.. But in Alaska these "Rockfish" are called red snappers.. The real red snappers is not a rockfish its a really "SNAPPER"..

Alaskans think these red fish are the best tasting rockfish.. fully as good as snapper.. or better.. Actually any fish caught in Alaska tastes better than fish from other places.. No lie just fact.. Especially the halibut.. and several different kinds(6) of Salmon.. smoked ot not..

76 posted on 04/06/2007 6:33:05 PM PDT by hosepipe (CAUTION: This propaganda is laced with hyperbole....)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: hosepipe
I’ve had some alaskan smoked fish and didn’t notice a difference. Maybe I need to experience fresh fish.
77 posted on 04/06/2007 6:34:21 PM PDT by Vision ("Delight yourself with the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart." Psalm37:4)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 76 | View Replies]

To: SunkenCiv; bitt; speedy; Joe 6-pack; Chena; NYTexan; martin_fierro; monkapotamus; PhilDragoo; ...

What a rod-din attitude. I suggest you grow up and change your tuna. This fish was a teeny-bobber when news-reels were the rage and people waited with bated breaths for the latest talkie to be catch-and-released.


78 posted on 04/06/2007 6:38:01 PM PDT by The Spirit Of Allegiance (Public Employees: Honor Your Oaths! Defend the Constitution from Enemies--Foreign and Domestic!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 72 | View Replies]

To: SunkenCiv; Angelas; presidio9; Idisarthur; Hegemony Cricket; A knight without armor; new cruelty; ..

79 posted on 04/06/2007 6:47:04 PM PDT by pcottraux (Fred Thompson pronounces it "P. Coe-troe"...in 2008.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 72 | View Replies]

To: The Spirit Of Allegiance; martin_fierro

Net that I care, but too many lines have been wasted about this already. Roe is me.


80 posted on 04/06/2007 7:10:37 PM PDT by SunkenCiv (I last updated my profile on Monday, April 2, 2007. https://secure.freerepublic.com/donate/)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 78 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 41-6061-8081-100 ... 121-123 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson