Angler Nets Tuna the Size of a Cow

It took two hours to drag it aboard, but the battle was worth it: a tuna fish the "size of a cow" appears to have netted a New Zealand angler a place in the record books.

The 6ft to 8ft-long Pacific bluefin tuna, weighing 268kg (590lbs), is believed to be the largest of its species landed by anglers, breaking New Zealand and possibly world weight records.

"It was a hell of a big fish. It's the size of a cow," said businessman Michael Hayes, who feared he would be pulled overboard during the struggle to land the fish. "I got it to the boat, but then it took five of us to get it into the boat."

Pacific bluefin tuna are extremely rare finds with the existing weight record believed to be 180kg.

All record claims have to be ratified by the International Game Fishing Association in Florida. But it appears Mr Hayes has played within the rules, landing the fish using a soft-squid plastic lure on a reel. A justice of the peace attended the weighing and certified scales had been used.

The fish has been frozen until DNA testing next month to confirm it is a Pacific bluefin, as opposed to the similar looking southern or northern bluefin, which are also present off New Zealand's west coast.

The monster catch was one of four bluefin tuna, all heavier than 200kg, caught by Mr Hayes and his companions last week.

Mr Hayes plans to have the fish mounted for his local game fishing club.