Sydney Harbour Barramundi Mystery

[Basil D]

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw-act/harbour-is-no-haven-for-barra/story-e6freuzi-1225902290602

IT is the Great Sydney Harbour barramundi mystery - and well-meaning but misguided Buddhists practising an ancient good luck ritual are responsible.

From the Parramatta River to Darling Harbour, the Spit Bridge to Manly, bemused anglers have found barramundi - the tropical fish whose nearest natural habitat is central Queensland - swimming lethargically on the surface.

Last weekend, two were scooped up in Darling Harbour by fishermen. Two weekends before, Mario Benedict was chasing bream near Clarkes Point when he spotted a strange fish.

"It was swimming really slowly and I thought it was a leatherjacket but when we went over in the boat and I scooped it out with our landing net I knew straight away it was a barra," the 27-year-old from Concord said yesterday.

Barramundi were also discovered in February and March at Manly, the Spit Bridge, Rose Bay and Darling Harbour.

It was first believed the fish had been released into the Harbour by radical animal rights activists or a fishkeeper whose pets had outgrown their tanks.

But all the barramundi have been the size of fish bred in fish farms for the restaurant market.

State Fisheries pointed the finger at Buddhists carrying out an ancient ritual called Tsethar - and it has condemned the fish to a slow death because the Harbour waters are too cold.

Tsethar involves saving the lives of "animals that are doomed to be killed".

[adjustedpete]

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw-act/harbour-is-no-haven-for-barra/story-e6freuzi-1225902290602

IT is the Great Sydney Harbour barramundi mystery - and well-meaning but misguided Buddhists practising an ancient good luck ritual are responsible.

From the Parramatta River to Darling Harbour, the Spit Bridge to Manly, bemused anglers have found barramundi - the tropical fish whose nearest natural habitat is central Queensland - swimming lethargically on the surface.

Last weekend, two were scooped up in Darling Harbour by fishermen. Two weekends before, Mario Benedict was chasing bream near Clarkes Point when he spotted a strange fish.

"It was swimming really slowly and I thought it was a leatherjacket but when we went over in the boat and I scooped it out with our landing net I knew straight away it was a barra," the 27-year-old from Concord said yesterday.

Barramundi were also discovered in February and March at Manly, the Spit Bridge, Rose Bay and Darling Harbour.

It was first believed the fish had been released into the Harbour by radical animal rights activists or a fishkeeper whose pets had outgrown their tanks.

But all the barramundi have been the size of fish bred in fish farms for the restaurant market.

State Fisheries pointed the finger at Buddhists carrying out an ancient ritual called Tsethar - and it has condemned the fish to a slow death because the Harbour waters are too cold.

Tsethar involves saving the lives of "animals that are doomed to be killed".

Hahahahahahaha.......Now doesnt that just take the cake.

[chrisg]

I was at the netting of one in Darling Harbour last weekend. Poor thing was freezing his proverbials off!

A few have taken lures recently though so they are still trying to feed.

C.

[arpie]

Worse stlil, they would have been born & raised in fresh water & released into salt! It's different if they gradually move thru different salinity's when on their way to the sea to breed - they would almost be choking as well! Poor things!

Mind you - a good fishing story - ....... You'll never guess what I caught today!!!

Roberta

[Joco]

Strange, weird and bizarre...

Im dating a Buddhist girl.....

Ill have to ask if she was involved and get back to you .... AND ask about this ritual...

Knowing her, she will deep fry the Barra....

IF such a thing happens, they should release the Barra "UP MY WAY", Georges River, Chhpping Norton

Edited August 7, 2011 by Joco

[Shanemills]

And I used to joke about catching barra in the parramatta river. Who would have ever thought it would be a reality.