On the Mekong River in Cambodia, villagers grabbed what researchers claim is the world’s largest freshwater fish ever recorded, a 300kg (661 lb) stingray that took a dozen men to haul to shore.
The four-metre (13-foot) long female was put back into the river after being electronically tagged to allow scientists to track her movement and behaviour. She was given the name Boramy, which means “full moon” in Khmer. “This is incredibly exciting news because it was the world’s largest fish,” said biologist Zeb Hogan, who used to anchor the National Geographic Channel’s “Monster Fish” show and is now working on a river conservation project.
“It’s also good news since it indicates that this section of the Mekong is still in good shape…. The fact that these massive fish are still alive (here) is a symbol of optimism.”
Boramy, taken this week near the island of Koh Preah on the river’s northern Cambodian length, broke the previous record of a 293 kilogramme large catfish caught upstream in northern Thailand in 2005.
According to the Mekong River Commission, the Mekong boasts the world’s third-most diversified fish population, yet overfishing, pollution, saltwater intrusion, and sediment depletion have caused stocks to drop.
Featured Image: UPI.com
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