A rare marine fish ‘Black Poya’ weighing 37 kg has been caught in the Bay of Bengal. The fish is also known locally as ‘Datina’ or ‘Black Diamond’. When the Poya fish is brought to the Mahipur Fisheries Port in Patuakhali, an eager crowd gathers to take a look.
Locals said that this type of fish is not usually caught in the nets of fishermen. On Wednesday (November 12) morning, the fish was sold at an open auction for 1 lakh 1 thousand taka at a fish shop called Monowara Fish in the Mahipur Fisheries Port.
It is learned that the fish was caught in the sea by the fisherman of the Allah Dan trawler Tariqul. The fish weighs 37 kg.
Local fish trader Sagir Akon said, “Such a fish is not often seen. That’s why I came to see it. I heard that the price of the fish is more than one lakh taka—it is really surprising! Bakhtiar Rahman, research assistant at Ecofish Bangladesh, said that the ‘black poa’ (Protonibea diacanthus) is a rare marine fish of the Sciaenidae family.
Its length is usually 50 to 180 centimeters and its weight is between 10 and 25 kilograms, but sometimes it is found to be more than 50 kilograms. They are found on the coasts of Cox’s Bazar, Maheshkhali, St. Martin, Patuakhali and Barisal in the Bay of Bengal.
He also said that the air bladder of the fish is in great demand in the international market. It is used in the preparation of traditional Chinese medicines and cosmetics, which is why the demand for the fish is very high. Kalapara Upazila Senior Fisheries Officer Apu Saha said that a fisherman caught a black poa weighing 37 kilograms. “Poa has been found, this is very happy news. This type of fish is not often found.” He also said that fishermen are now getting the benefits of following the government’s ban on catching jatka and mother hilsa. Note: This year, 5 fish of this species have been sold at the Alipur Mahipur Fisheries Port. This is increasing both the quantity and diversity of fish, which is positive for the coastal economy, said fisheries officials.