The rare croaker fish is said to be of great commercial importance and demand for it is high in some Asian and European countries.

Gulf Today Report

Luck was on a Pakistani fisherman's side when he accidentally caught a rare sowa (croaker) fish off the coast of Jiwani, Gwadar, Balochistan province, which was sold for a hefty sum of Rs7.2 million (Dhs171.428).  The rare croaker fish weighed 48 kilogrammes.

According to aquatic life experts, the sowa fish comes close to the shores of Jiwani and adjacent seas in the summer for breeding. The rare croaker fish is said to be of great commercial importance and demand for it is high in some Asian and European countries.
Fishermen pose for a photograph with the fish in Gwadar.

Sajid Haji Abubakar, said that the credit for catching the prized croaker fish, goes to the owner of the boat. At the time, Waheed Baloch of Pishkan, was running the vessel, according to local media reports.

Deputy Director for Fisheries in Gwadar Ahmed Nadeem, confirmed that he had never come across a fish that had fetched a greater price.

At one time during the auction, said Ababakar, the price of the fish had gone up to Rs8.64m. “However, after taking into account the discounts allowed under our traditions, we settled for a price of Rs7.2m,” he said.

Abdul Rahim Baloch, marine biologist and assistant director for environment at the Gwadar Development Authority, said the demand for the large croaker fish was very high in Europe and China.

“Some fish are expensive because of their meat. But this species (large croaker fish) has a high demand because parts of it are known for their use in medicine and surgery,” he said.