The International Underwater Spearfishing Association

International Underwater Spearfishing Association

World Record

2.6 kg. , 5.7 lbs.

Eel, Speckled Longfin Anguilla reinhardii

Record Category: Men Speargun

Diver:		Kade Beckley
Date:		10/31/2022
Location:		AUSTRALIA

We were on our third day in Merrimbula NSW in Australia on a spearfishing trip. The rivers had come down into the seas due to a 60mm downpour earlier in the week. We therefore decided to go into Merrimbula to dive. We had been in the water drifting down with the tide current for a few hours. Three of us where in the water and where targeting flathead and other species. It was pretty much nearing the end of the dive, around midday. Water was a little murky – VIS ranging between 2-5m. The vegetation under water was sand beds and heavy grass. I saw something out of the side of my eyes and thought it might be a large flathead. Upon seeing how it swam, I knew it was an eel of some sort. I shot and hit him mid way. Good shot and it held well. The eel pulled a bit but literally entangled itself on my spear. I immediately used my kill knife to land it and after three stabs, he was subdued. Kim came swimming over to me and was amazed it what it was as he is the President of our spearfishing club. We weight it once we got into the boat ramp.