Rare Slender Sunfish Caught by Fishermen in Bay of Bengal Near Kuakata
Photo Collected
A rare species of marine fish known as a slender sunfish was captured in the Bay of Bengal near Kuakata on Sunday morning. The fish, weighing approximately 2.7 kilograms, was hauled in by a local fisherman identified as Saiful Islam.
Following the catch, the specimen was brought to the Shahin Enterprise wholesale fish market at the Mahipur landing station. The unusual appearance of the fish drew significant attention from local residents and traders, many of whom noted that they had never encountered such a species before. Despite the public curiosity, no buyers stepped forward, as concerns regarding the fish’s potential toxicity discouraged any interest in consuming it.
Fisherman Saiful Islam stated that the fish was caught alongside his regular haul. He noted that its physical structure was strikingly different from common marine species, making it difficult for the crew to identify the animal immediately.
Photographs of the specimen were sent to Mir Mohammad Ali, an assistant professor in the Faculty of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Marine Science at Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University. Based on the images, Professor Ali preliminarily identified the catch as a slender sunfish, scientifically known as Ranzania laevis. He explained that this is an oceanic species typically found in the open sea rather than being a commercially traded fish, though they occasionally appear in fishing nets.
Professor Ali emphasized that the presence of such species serves as a vital indicator of the rich biodiversity within the Bay of Bengal. He urged that instead of marketing such rare catches, fishermen should document the location, depth of capture, gear type, and biometric data. He noted that collecting this information provides essential scientific insights into species distribution and environmental shifts within the marine ecosystem.
Apu Saha, the senior fisheries officer for Kalapara Upazila, remarked that the Bay of Bengal remains highly biodiverse, with rare and lesser-known species frequently appearing in local catches. He added that the discovery of the slender sunfish provides valuable data that could further research and conservation efforts regarding the region’s marine life.
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