A remarkable fishing expedition unfolded off the shores of Malpe port in Mangaluru, capturing the attention of locals and spectators. Subhash Sailan, a skilled fisherman aboard the Nagasiddhi boat, ventured into the deep sea on Wednesday and successfully hauled in two enormous mantas rays, weighing an astounding 750 kg and 250 kg respectively. The extraordinary sight drew a crowd of fascinated onlookers, with images and recordings of the incident quickly spreading across social media and private chat groups.
Yathish Baikampady, former President of the Fishermen’s Association in coastal Karnataka, expressed his astonishment, stating, “This catch is either incredibly rare or exceptionally extraordinary.” While catches of varying sizes are not uncommon, this particular occurrence in Malpe, due to its prominent location and widespread social media coverage, became viral. The captured fish are slated for export and are expected to command high prices, marking a significant milestone for Malpe’s deep-sea fishing industry since its recent resumption after a temporary hiatus.
It’s important to note that the gigantic manta ray is an endangered species, as highlighted by NOAA Fisheries, a United States government organization dedicated to protecting national marine resources. With an impressive wingspan of up to 29 feet, the manta ray holds the distinction of being the world’s largest ray. These gentle giants are filter feeders, consuming vast quantities of zooplankton. Giant manta rays have slow growth rates and exist in highly fragmented populations scattered globally.
Commercial fishing poses a major threat to the survival of the giant manta ray species. They are often targeted directly or become unintentional bycatch in various fisheries worldwide, as stated by NOAA. Earlier this year, another deep-sea fishing expedition off Malpe resulted in the capture of a 1200 kg stingray after spending 10 days at sea. Stingrays are highly regarded as a delicacy in seafood markets, fetching a price of around Rs 400 per kilogram in Bengaluru.
Stingrays belong to the shark family and are cartilaginous fish, lacking true bones. While there are 220 recognized species of stingrays, many of them face the threat of extinction due to unregulated deep-sea fishing. The International Union for Conservation of Nature has classified 45 stingray species as vulnerable, emphasizing the urgent need for conservation efforts to protect these magnificent creatures.
