Massive Coral Catch in Teknaf Nets 1,100 Fish

In a remarkable haul off the coast of Teknaf, Cox’s Bazar, local fishermen have caught an astonishing 1,100 red coral fish in a single net, generating excitement among traders and residents alike. The catch, weighing approximately 120 maunds (around 7.2 tonnes), is expected to fetch close to BDT 3.1 million, with each maund valued at BDT 26,000.

The haul occurred on Tuesday afternoon (24 February), when the fishing trawler, owned by Teknaf residents Mohammad Mizan and Harun, returned to the quay around 10:30 pm, sparking a bustling trading frenzy among local fish merchants.

The trawler’s captain, Rahmat Ullah, explained that the crew had taken a short break from deep-sea fishing for about a week. “We went to the deeper waters of the Bay of Bengal on Saturday, and when we hauled the net this afternoon, we were amazed to find such a huge quantity of red coral,” he said.

According to the owners, the trawler carried a crew of 17 experienced sailors and targeted waters southwest of Saint Martin’s Island. Each fish weighed between five and six kilograms, resulting in a total count of 1,100.

Trading Details

When the trawler docked at Kaiyukhali Ghāt, intense bidding began among local fish merchants. Initially, the fishermen demanded BDT 4.5 million for the entire catch, but eventually, trader Rashid Ahmed purchased the red coral at BDT 26,000 per maund, although the full weight had yet to be verified.

Local fishermen noted that red coral is typically found in deep-sea areas. During the winter months, schools of these fish gather near the coral-rich areas around Saint Martin’s Island. Because of the rocky and coral-laden seabed, fishing in this area carries high risks, and catches of this scale are unusual. Traditionally, fishermen rely on larger nets to capture bigger coral fish, but this singular, bountiful haul has created a wave of excitement along the Teknaf coastline.

“This is a rare windfall,” said one fisherman. “To catch over a thousand red coral fish in one net is almost unheard of. It has sparked considerable interest not just among local traders, but also visitors and seafood enthusiasts from across the region.”

The haul has also raised awareness of the potential ecological impact of such intensive coral fishing, with conservationists urging sustainable practices to protect the delicate marine habitat surrounding Saint Martin’s Island.