Researchers from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commissionbelieve an eye that was found last Wednesday on a south Florida beach belongs to a swordfish.
“Experts on site and remotely have viewed and analyzed the eye, and based on its color, size and structure, along with the presence of bone around it, we believe the eye came from a swordfish,” said Joan Herrera, curator of collections at the FWC’s Fish and Wildlife Research Institute in St. Petersburg in a press release. “Based on straight-line cuts visible around the eye, we believe it was removed by a fisherman and discarded.”
Gino Covacci found the eye last week while walking along the coast of Pompano Beach with a friend, according to an interview with CNN. Covacci told CNN he believed the eye belonged to a squid.
The FWC described the eye as “softball-sized.” Genetic tests to confirm the eye belonged to a swordfish will be completed soon.