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Fish bar owner lands a whopper
IT escaped the net for more than 40 years – but now this sea monster is set to keep hunger at bay for Fylde coast diners.
The eight foot long halibut is destined for life on a plate next to some golden chips and mushy peas after being bought at Fleetwood Docks auction hall.
Proud owner of the fish, Chris Richardson, is now looking forward to serving the 18-and-a-half-stone fish at his take-away and restaurant, Richardson's Fish Bar on Lord Street, in Fleetwood.
Mr Richardson, 34, who has been running the business for three years, said: "Looking at the size of it, it's very old. A couple of trawlermen have estimated it could be up to 100 years old. You don't often get them this size.
"I was quite fortunate in the bidding.
"They are quite a handful to process, so because of the size of it, I think a lot of people were put off. It's a beast.
"There was a round of applause after I won the bidding and everyone was saying they'd be down to Richardson's for tea."
Despite spending decades enjoying ocean life, the fish will now be chopped up, fried and should be enough to provide 500 portions.
Mr Richardson added: "With haddock, the older it is the nicer the taste so we're hoping for the same with the halibut. It'll be very tasty."
The fish, caught in the Atlantic off the north-east of Scotland and transported down to Fleetwood overnight in a truck, was sold for 236 by Fleetwood-based Midland Fish Co.
Boss Kenny Hayton said: "I would think it'd be 40 years plus but I've been told they can live up to 100. It was a big fish, about eight feet long and 118 kilos. It's more unusual nowadays because the smaller boats don't go out as far."
Staff at Blackpool Sea Life Centre said the fish was big for its species and could be 40 years old.
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Weather for Blackpool
Wednesday 30 May 2012
Today
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Temperature: 12 C to 20 C
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