Fishing Victoria Forum

hi all
mate caught a port Jackson when we were fishing for gummy shark. don't worry he went back in the drink safe and sound. but I was curious about them and after a bit of reading I've seen that a lot of websites say it's spikes are 'rumoured to be poisonous'. does anyone know if they 100% are? be nice to know if I get spiked I should seek medical help or not.
cheers

I heard all hanging appendages will fall off in a week.

Fish-cador wrote:I heard all hanging appendages will fall off in a week.

If you are lucky. If they don't, they turn gangrenous and you have to get them surgically removed.

Although they can be eaten, better to release them unharmed.

Fish-Hunter wrote:Although they can be eaten, better to release them unharmed.

oh id never eat one, after some reading I found that you get so little edible meat that it's simply not worth it. plus im after gunmy not port Jackson :tongue: im more concerned about getting spiked handling the shark

those spines are pretty blunt so you'd be doing well to get cut by one. As far as sharks go they don't tend to go nuts the way gummies do, they're more like swell sharks in that regard.

Never eaten one, probably never will. I just give them a pat on the head and let them go

No more poisonous than most other fish spikes. Possible localised swelling and infection from bacteria, minor bleeding, bucket load of pain. Main problem comes from your body not being able to localise the infection and it spreads.

4liters wrote:those spines are pretty blunt so you'd be doing well to get cut by one. As far as sharks go they don't tend to go nuts the way gummies do, they're more like swell sharks in that regard.

Never eaten one, probably never will. I just give them a pat on the head and let them go

okay thanks for that, didn't really want to test the sharpness haha. same here, I reckon they're a pretty good looking shark. nice photo for the misses and away it goes

cobby wrote:No more poisonous than most other fish spikes. Possible localised swelling and infection from bacteria, minor bleeding, bucket load of pain. Main problem comes from your body not being able to localise the infection and it spreads.

okay so more, wipe it with an alcohol wipe and see a doctor no need to call an ambo

yeah, or a teaspoon of cement initially and maybe put a bit of dettol on it if it swells up over the next couple of days