I am sure it is real 😉
Just not quite as big. we have to remember that people often had poor eyesight and they wsaw whatever it was at sea - probably when they were scared or drunk.
And if you know any fisherman, you know that the size of the fish increases with each telling of the tale.
My vote is for real. And a for sure on the hunting down stuff. That is what people do.
So, nobody tell where it is, okay? 🤫