Rare Fish Rediscovered In Cambodia After Disappearance For Nearly Two Decades
Key Points
The unusual fish, a carp with a hooked jaw and salmon-shaped body, had not been documented since 2005
As a result of the rediscovery, the Cambodian Fisheries Administration has added the giant salmon carp to its list of protected species
Phnom Penh, Oct 23: The 'Mekong ghost' fish has resurfaced in Cambodia after nearly two decades without a trace.
According to the news release, the elusive giant salmon carp (Aaptosyax grypus) was spotted once again Tuesday in Cambodian waters by a team of international scientists led by the Fisheries Administration under the Cambodian Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.
The unusual fish, a carp with a hooked jaw and salmon-shaped body, had not been documented since 2005.
An international team of scientists has confirmed the existence of three giant salmon carp caught between 2020 and 2023, a significant finding for a fish previously feared extinct, reports Xinhua, quoting the news release.
"The rediscovery of the giant salmon carp is a reason for hope, not just for this species but for the entire Mekong ecosystem," said Bunyeth Chan, lead researcher from Svay Rieng University in Cambodia.
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✨"The Mekong ecosystem is the most productive river on Earth, producing over 2 million tonnes of fish per year worth over $10 billion," he added.
As a result of the rediscovery, the Cambodian Fisheries Administration has added the giant salmon carp to its list of protected species.
(IANS)
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