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A rare 22-kilogram “Datina bhol” fish caught in the Bay of Bengal has been sold for Tk3.55 lakh at a fish landing centre in Bagerhat, drawing considerable attention from local fishermen and traders.
The fish was put up for sale at the KB Bazar Fish Landing Centre in Bagerhat on Thursday morning.
Fisherman Elias Hossain of Boga village in Kachua upazila caught the fish on August 11 while fishing in the Bay of Bengal aboard his trawler, FB Mayer Doa.
According to fishermen, the trawler was preparing to return to shore because of rough weather and choppy seas when the valuable fish became entangled in the net at the last moment.
The unusually large fish attracted crowds at the landing centre on Thursday as curious locals gathered to see it.
Local fish trader Harun Mir, who bought the fish, said a maund of this species generally sells for more than Tk6 lakh. Based on that rate, he purchased the 22kg fish for Tk3.55 lakh.
He said the fish would be packed in ice and sent to a major wholesale market in Chattogram.
Idris Ali, president of the Coastal Fishermen’s Association, said the swim bladder, or air bladder, of the species has strong demand in international markets.
It is particularly sought after in China, Thailand and other Southeast Asian countries, where it is used in medicines, surgical sutures and cosmetics, he said.
The catch of such a large specimen after a long gap has brought excitement among local fishermen and fish traders, he added.