A Donegal Port has recorded landings of unusually large golden redfish which have been rarely seen in these waters.

Up to ten of the species were landed into Greencastle, Co Donegal and acquired for sale by Stefan Griesbach of Gannet Fishmongers in Galway.

Several of the fish were over 6 kg, which is the heaviest Griesbach says he has handled.

The golden redfish, or sebastes norvegicus, is prevalent in Iceland, and can be found along the North American coast, south of Greenland and along the Norwegian coast.

In July 2014, a 5.9kg specimen was caught by Aran islander Tomás Conneely of the Ocean Harvester II, while fishing for prawns on the Porcupine.

Several of the fish were over 6 kg, which is the heaviest Griesbach says he has handled Photo: Joe O'Shaughnessy

The cold-water species swims at depths of 100 to 1,000 metres and can live for 60 years and weigh up to 15kg, according to rare fish expert Dr Declan Quigley.

A specimen was reported from Isle of Man waters in the Irish Sea in 1927, and seven juveniles, which may have travelled in larvae dispersed from more northern latitudes, were authenticated between 1968 and 1978 in the Dingle Bay area.

Conneely’s catch seven years ago was served by Jess Murphy of Kai Restaurant to Galway arts festival visitors as a “ceviche” or Peruvian seafood starter, soaking it in coconut milk and lemon, along with rapeseed, soaked red onions, lime juice, avocado and coriander.

“Its flesh was so delicate and we felt everyone should have the opportunity to try it – so we went for the starter for many rather than a main course for a few,” she explained at the time.