Top tagger awarded

One of Exmouth’s charter operators has been bestowed a swag of international accolades for his efforts in tagging and releasing big billfish.

Peak Sportfishing skipper Eddy Lawler was recognised as the top tagging and top releasing captain for black and blue marlin in the Indian Ocean area by The Billfish Foundation for 2016.

He was also commended as the top tagging captain for striped marlin and top release captain for sailfish.

Lawler said being able to fish for billfish year-round off Exmouth gave his crew an advantage.

“A lot of places have good marlin or billfishing, but it will be only for two or three months of the year,” he said. “We have a world-class fishery right on our doorstep.

“I have Murray Teesdale and the other fellas who fish for three to four months of the season as well. You can’t do it without them.”

Lawler said one of his most memorable days on the water had come one day last week, when his crew reeled in 11 marlin, 10 blues and one striped.