Kolkata: In a rare occurrence, a 185-kg Black Marlin, usually found in the Pacific Ocean, was caught near the shores of the Bay of Bengal.
A fisheries expert on Thursday traced the cause to the migration of fish to various places in search of food due to global warming.
“Marlins are usually found in the colder region and surprisingly it was found in the Bay of Bengal,” said Ramkrishna Sardar, Additional Director of Fisheries (Marine), East Midnapore district.
According to him, the Marlin was caught by a fisherman in Dhamra, Odisha, on Tuesday. He sold the 11-foot-long fish to a sea resort in Digha, West Bengal, for Rs8,500 (Dh455).
“It is one of the fastest fish with a speed of 129km/h. It can also jump 70-80 feet off the water surface,” said Sardar.
“Owing to the above qualities, the fish is quite popular in the United States and is a part of a sports activity where people try to catch it,” he added.
Marlins have a long, sword-like upper jaw which is used to slash and stun fish, making them easier to catch. They are close relatives of the swordfish.
A migratory species, it travels thousands of kilometres in warm currents.
