Giant fish weighing around 800 kg caught off Digha coast near Odisha-West Bengal border

A giant fish, most likely a Giant Manta Ray, was caught by a group of fishermen off the Digha coast near the Odisha-West Bengal border on the morning of July 27, Monday.

As per reports, Director of West Bengal United Fishermen Association Pinaki Ranjan Kar informed that the fish weighed around 800 kg, so far the largest catch of its kind. 

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8 feet long and 5 feet wide

As per reports, the fishermen were stunned to see the huge fish in the net, which measured about 8 feet long and 5 feet wide. Kar added that the fishermen in Digha have earlier caught such fish but this was the heaviest. He informed that fishermen in Digha usually call it Shankar fish since it resembles an elephant's ear in shape.

According to the reports, the fish was sold to a fish trading firm from Ranighatin West Bengal for an astounding price of Rs 50,000. Additional director of fisheries(marine) in Bhadrak, Chitta Ranjan Sahu reportedly said that he is still verifying the authenticity of the video showing the catch and a team is trying to speak to the fishermen who caught it. Giant Manta Rays are listed as vulnerable under the IUCN.

(Image: Representational - Unsplash/MaxGotts)

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