Doubt big fish was released

E-mail your letter to The Herald

HAVING been a very keen angler all my life, I was interested to read that the huge bluefin tuna caught by Tim Christie was released back into the ocean ("Dream catch for EC angler", October 17). While taking nothing away from Christie for his achievement, I have serious doubts that this fish was released.

Considering that it was tied by a single rope to its tail, thus supporting a weight of 450kg, the spinal cord would most definitely have been severed. The "gaff" marks on the side of the fish are clearly visible and if this fish was still alive the mouth would be closed, not open.