DATELINE: 5th january 2002

WHO TURNED THE LIGHTS OFF?
A giant grouper is causing concern at a Great Barrier Reef dive sites after swallowing a Swedish diver's head on New Year's Eve. The man suffered a broken mask, cuts and scratches after being spat out.
The 2m long fish is reckoned to be 80 years old, and perhaps understandably, appears to be getting a tad grumpy with visiting divers. The attack happened at the Yongala Wreck, a popular Queensland dive site.
The numerous reports of the grouper behaving aggressively towards divers has forced officials from the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service to consider capturing and relocating the massive fish. Groupers are a protected species in Australia. "They may be protected, but you can't have a grouper groping the tourists" said a spokesperson.

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