Maharashtra Fisherman Gets Lucky After Trapping 157 Ghol Fishes Worth Rs 1.33 Crores

A fisherman from Maharashtra had no clue that his luck will change overnight post the months-long ban on fishing.

Chandrakant Tare, a fisherman from Palghar, set off sailing for fishing along with eight of his colleagues on the late evening of August 28. They were in the boat Harba Devi and went to Wadhwan, which is 20 to 25 nautical miles away.

India Today

Tare never imagined that this fishing trip would change his fortune. Tare and his team got a catch of 157 ghol fishes, known as 'sea gold' which sold for a whopping Rs 1.33 crores. The auction for the fishes was held in Murbe, Palghar. The whole consignment was bought by Uttar Pradesh and Bihar-based traders.

What Are Ghol Fishes?

The fish, whose scientific name is 'Protonibea Diacanthus', is a type of croaker fish. Due to pollution, such fishes are very rare in the area. Fishermen in the area have to venture deep into the sea to get a good catch.

How Much Do Ghol Fishes Cost?

Ghol is touted to be the most expensive fish in India currently. Native to the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean, it has netted a record-breaking price at fish auctions around the coasts of Gujarat and Maharashtra. Fishermen also refer to it as the ¡®sea gold¡¯ as it helps them tide over their financial crises.

A report published in CNN Traveller states that the swim bladder is the most prized possession of this fish. It is dried up and used for purification in the wine and beer industry. And larger the fish, the larger the swim bladder which costs a whopping Rs 50,000 per kg.

India Today

What Are The Uses Of A Ghol Fish?

The fish is also known as the ¡®fish with a heart of gold', for its medicinal value. Ghol skin is a great source of high-quality collagen, which is used in the manufacturing of functional food and a lot of cosmetic products too. It¡¯s considered a great substitute for porcine and bovine gelatin as well. Its fins are used by pharmaceutical companies to manufacture soluble stitches.

Itimes

How Does Ghol Fish Farming Work?

The ghol fish is high in medicinal and pharmaceutical use and is in huge demand in countries like Hong Kong, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, and Japan.

However, netting a single ghol fish is a matter of chance alone and can change the fortunes of fishermen. Catching it remains all about being at the right place at the right time.

So, looks like Chandrakat Tare's stars have really aligned and he has strikes gold.