Balasore, Sept 1: Fishermen living along the Odisha-West Bengal coast sold 17 rare oily fishes at Rs 70 lakh.
Eight oily Bhetki (Asian Sea Bass) fishes were caught in the trawler of a fisherman from West Bengal and nine fishes were caught by fishermen from the Dhamara area in Odisha.
All the 17 fishes, each fish weighing between 25 kg to 30 kg, were auctioned at the Digha fish landing center at Rs 30,000 to Rs 33,000 per kg. The GKD Pharmaceuticals of Kolkata bought the fishes.
These species of fishes are found in shallow seas. These fishes are highly demanded for medicinal properties. Male fishes are sold at higher prices than female ones. The price varies depending on the weight of the fishes, said Naba Kumar Parida, head of the Digha fish landing centre.
