Fishermen from the coastal village of Kharo Chan recently made a remarkable catch, bringing in a significant amount of wealth with their net. Hanif Katiyar and his crew were pleasantly surprised when they retrieved over 300 croaker fish during a routine fishing trip near Keti Bandar. This rare haul, according to Kamal Shah, a spokesperson for the Ibrahim Haydari Coastal Media Centre, holds immense value, with estimates reaching millions of rupees. Shah explained that croaker fish, highly prized for their meat, also possess valuable fat and air bladders, which are in high demand.
Muhammad Moazzam Khan, a technical adviser for WWF Pakistan, highlighted the significance of croaker fish, known as Suwa in Sindhi and Kar in Balochi. The fish’s air bladder, referred to as ‘pota,’ holds particular importance in Chinese cuisine and culture. Khan clarified misconceptions regarding the use of croaker fish air bladders in surgical thread production, stating that while dried swim bladders are indeed valuable, they are not utilized for surgical purposes. He emphasized the drastic decline in the population of croaker fish in Pakistani waters, attributing it to overfishing and habitat degradation.
The once plentiful croaker fish, known for congregating near the coast, has become increasingly scarce, impacting the livelihoods of Pakistani fishermen. Despite its dwindling numbers, the fish continues to hold immense value, particularly in international markets like China, where it is considered a speculative investment. However, fluctuations in its market value have led to severe consequences for investors, with some resorting to extreme measures in times of economic downturns.
