Colossal Bowl Fish Captured Near Saint Martin’s Island

A momentous catch has stirred excitement in the coastal town of Teknaf after a gargantuan Bowl fish (a prized species of sea bass), weighing a staggering 205 kilograms, was hauled from the waters near Saint Martin’s Island. The deep-sea marvel was captured on Thursday afternoon and subsequently sold at a local wholesale market for a handsome sum of 255,000 BDT.

The Thrill of the Catch

The discovery occurred in the “Sheelerkum” area, southwest of Bangladesh’s only coral island, Saint Martin’s. A trawler owned by local residents Mohammad Nasir and Kaisar Uddin had ventured into the Bay of Bengal two days prior. After finding the near-shore waters sparse, the ten-man crew navigated further south toward the rocky reef habitats where large predatory fish are known to dwell.

According to the trawler owner, Kaisar Uddin, the crew struggled for a considerable time to hoist the massive creature onto the deck. Upon returning to the Lama Bazar wharf in Teknaf on Thursday evening, it reportedly took a team of twelve men to safely transport the fish from the vessel to the auction shed using heavy-duty ropes.

Market Value and Sale Details

The arrival of the fish drew a large crowd of curious onlookers to Abu Musa’s wholesale warehouse. While the fishermen initially sought 300,000 BDT, a competitive auction saw local businessmen Mohammad Jafar and Saiful Islam secure the prize for 255,000 BDT.

A Local Delicacy for the Community

The purchasers have opted to share this rare bounty with the wider community rather than selling it to a single high-end buyer. Throughout Friday morning, loudspeaker announcements (myking) echoed through Teknaf Municipality, inviting residents to the Teknaf Pilot High School grounds. The fish is being carved and sold in individual kilogram portions, with retailers expecting a significant profit margin due to the high local demand for the fish’s succulent, flavourful meat.

Biological Rarity

Teknaf Upazila Senior Fisheries Officer, Umul Phara Begum, noted that while Bowl fish can theoretically reach weights of up to 400kg, a 205kg specimen is an exceptional find for the region. The species thrives in the coral crevices and rocky outcrops surrounding Saint Martin’s Island. Last year, a similar catch weighing 166kg was recorded at Baharchhara, but this latest specimen sets a new recent record for the Teknaf coast.