The huge fish was caught by Dave Edwards of Courtmacsherry-based West Cork Charters as part of an ongoing catch and release programme aimed at establishing population numbers for the fish in the north east Atlantic.

Dave caught the specimen on Sunday about three miles south of his base in Courtmacsherry and was assisted by Darren O'Sullivan from Cork city and Dutch fisherman Henk Veldman.

“They are much more common up in Donegal Bay where they follow the herring,” said Dave. “They are more unusual down here but tend to be much bigger when they do show up. This is the first one caught south of Donegal Bay this year and it really was a big fish.”