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The black-spotted croaker, or the ghol fish — considered a fisherman’s lottery — was declared the state fish of Gujarat.
Why was the ghol chosen?
- The Gujarat government chose the ghol because of its economic value and its uniqueness.
Credit: SCRFA - The fish is usually found in the Indo-Pacific region that stretches from the Persian Gulf to the Pacific Ocean.
- Ribbon fish, pomfret, and Bombay Duck were the other species that were considered for designation as state fish.
What is the commercial importance of this fish species?
- Being an expensive fish, the local consumption of this variety is not widely heard of, said experts. But the fish has a huge market in China and other countries.
- The fish is actually a lottery for fishermen who manage to net it.
- The fish is not only tasty, it is considered a delicacy in many countries.
- In others, it is used for medicinal purposes.
- While the meat of the fish is exported as frozen fillet or whole fish to European and Middle-Eastern countries, its air bladder — which is cut open from the stomach and dried — is mainly exported to China, Hong Kong and other Asian countries where it is in high demand for its medicinal values.
Source: IE
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