SAMI’S BLOG: The Murder Jetty

After a recent visit to K’gari (Fraser Island), I have decided to rename the Jetty at Kingfisher Bay ‘The Murder Jetty’.  If you have been to K’gari you’ll know the spot, if not then just imagine the quintessential Queensland wooden jetty that stretches out lazily into the calm blue ocean, a perfect spot to watch the sunset and take in the tranquillity.  But not on the day our family decided to go fishing with friends! 

On this day, the idyllic timber structure was the scene of dozens of murders. One of my best mates, Natty was chief instigator of blood and gore.  “Let’s take the kids fishing for live bait then we can stay and go squidding”, she exclaimed. The kids were excited.  The parents were too (an afternoon with no screens – Hallelujah). 

The light was golden, the sea breeze gentle.  It was like a movie.  Yeah, a horror movie! Natty started showing kids how to put hooks into the spines of little fish that were wriggling around, as they were flung into the ocean on hooks. I nearly passed out when I saw this. Ten-year-old Millie tried to cast her rod, hit the jetty pylon and then THWACK!  A little wriggling fish hit the concrete pole, and its eyes went through its little body. Nine-year-old Harrison pulled up a tuna and I heard 5 kids yell “Cool!” as it lay on the jetty and vomited up a whole little fish. I nearly vomited too.  My eyes were the size of dinner plates as the kids pulled in little fish after little fish to catch big fish after big fish.  It was the circle of life in murderous surround sound. The sun set and Natty decided it was time to squid.  Any caught squid is placed on the murder jetty so you can karate chop them under the neck to kill them.  At what age do you learn the karate chop kill move?  Not at 50 I can assure you of that.  I blame my single mum for not educating me growing up as to the ways of fishing.  Given what I witnessed, I am actually glad she didn’t.  When squidding was over we all regrouped at dinner where I skipped the calamari and went straight for the chicken.