Powerful broadbill swordfish glides across the vast expanse of the ocean, just as it did last Friday when it took a life in Hawaii.
In the tranquil waters of Honokohau small boat harbor on the Big Island of Hawaii, a rare and tragic incident unfolded last Friday. Randy Llane, a 47-year-old fishing boat captain, lost his life after being impaled in the chest by a swordfish.
Heidi Dewar, a fisheries research biologist with NOAA Fisheries in La Jolla, California, expressed her condolences and emphasized the rarity of such incidents. Swordfish are not typically found in harbors, and encounters between these predators and humans are infrequent.
The swordfish's bill, as explained by Philip Motta, a fish biologist at the University of South Florida in Tampa, is flattened oval in cross section and has incredibly sharp edges, similar to a metal sword. This deadly weapon was put to use when the swordfish struck Llane.
However, Motta suggested that the attack was likely a defensive behavior. Dewar, too, noted that it's hard to say for sure why this particular swordfish was in the harbor. It might have been ill or chasing something near the surface and ended up in the harbor.
Swordfish are open-ocean animals that are more often found over deep water. Their diet consists of smaller fish and squid, which they catch by swiping their heads from side to side, as mentioned by Motta. They do not normally view humans as prey or competitors and tend to avoid close contact.
Incidents of swordfish injuring or killing people are incredibly rare, with only very few documented cases. Most swordfish interactions occur during fishing or accidental encounters, not direct attacks. Reports of swordfish leaping out of the water and impaling a person are indeed rare, making Llane's unfortunate demise even more tragic.
While the rarity of swordfish attacks on humans can be attributed to their behavior and ecology, it's essential to remember that these predators possess a dangerous weapon. Dewar advises against jumping into the water with swordfish, as it's inadvisable to provoke these animals.
This tragic incident serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of the ocean and the importance of respecting its inhabitants, even those as majestic as the swordfish.
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- In general news, discussions about swordfish accidents could arise following the tragic incident in Honokohau small boat harbor, where a fishing boat captain was impaled by a swordfish.
- Despite the rarity of swordfish incidents in sports fishing, it's crucial to approach these open-ocean animals with caution and respect, as they possess a dangerous weapon in their flattened oval bills with sharp edges.
