Marine scientists in the Helderberg are investigating a mysterious regional phenomenon causing fish caught in Strand and Gordon’s Bay to shrink substantially between capture and arriving home.
Witnesses report fish initially described at the harbour as “absolute monsters” somehow reduce by nearly 40% during transport.
One fisherman leaving Gordon’s Bay old harbour yesterday proudly displayed what he claimed was “a proper size cob.”
By the time he reached Somerset West the fish reportedly resembled “a respectable pan-sized opportunity.”
Family members remain highly sceptical of measurements traditionally demonstrated using wide arm gestures and phrases like:
“No honestly it was much bigger earlier.”
Experts believe the shrinking process accelerates after fishermen stop at bottle stores takeaway shops and friends’ houses to retell events repeatedly.
Meanwhile Strand pensioners insist modern fishermen exaggerate sizes more aggressively than previous generations.
“In our day at least we lied consistently” explained one retired angler while scaling a suspiciously small hottentot.
Several local fishermen have proposed introducing official “harbour measurements” before shrinkage begins though critics argue this may collapse the regional storytelling economy entirely.
At publication time another fisherman was reportedly explaining how “the big one got away” using dimensions comparable to small tuna despite targeting stumpnose.
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