A Western Australian fisherman has been criticized for spearing and cooking a big blue, despite it being legal in the state.
Jaiden Mole posted a video of the catch on social media on Monday and admitted that ‘this may be the most controversial thing you can do while spearfishing’.
“A blue probe this size is about fifteen years old,” Mr Mole continued.
Footage showed him spearing the fish in the waters off Western Australia – where the practice is legal – before filleting and cooking his catch.
“It’s pretty hard to argue with the eating quality,” he said.
‘Look at that white meat. Whip up some beer batter and put the fish straight into the deep fryer.
“Cook until golden brown, and you’ll be left with the tastiest 15-year-old roll you’ve ever had.”
But the video sparked angry reactions, with one user furiously saying: ‘They’re like the puppy dogs of the sea, why would you post that?’
Jaiden Mole posted a video of the catch on social media on Monday and admitted that ‘this may be the most controversial thing you can do while spearfishing’.
Footage showed Jaiden Mole spearing the fish in the waters off Western Australia, where the practice is legal
“It’s not really a challenge to photograph one,” said another. “You can actually pet them, they’re so docile.”
“That’s not cool,” said another.
Blue gropers are known for their calm and inquisitive nature, making them vulnerable to spearfishermen.
The capture of the species has previously sparked outrage in NSW, where the species is protected and the state’s official fish.
A blue groper, affectionately known to locals as Gus, was illegally killed by a spearfisherman in Oak Park, Cronulla, in January.
An online petition launched by the Animal Justice Party reached 5813 signatures urging NSW Agriculture Minister Tara Moriarty to increase penalties after the 26-year-old man was fined $800.
Days later, the killing of three female gropers in Vincentia, about three hours south of Sydney, sparked further outrage, with one local describing the animals as “friendly Labradors of the sea”.
Bluebird is protected in NSW, Victoria and Tasmania, but not in Western Australia
The NSW government in February banned the catching of blue gropers by any means, including line fishing.
Previously, the laws only protected payers (including brown, red and blue fish species) from spearfishing and commercial fishing, and allowed people to catch two per day.
The new law was implemented on a 12-month trial basis, during which the Department of Primary Industries would consult with stakeholders and the community on the changes to the rules.
Anyone who breaks the law for the first time could be fined $22,000 or jailed for up to six months.
The new laws do not apply to Aboriginal cultural fishing.
The fish is also protected in Victoria and Tasmania, but in Western Australia there is a daily bag limit of one fish over 50cm.