Posted on 05/15/2020 3:02:37 PM PDT by nickcarraway
Four local fishermen at the Sungai Lundu estuary in Sarawak netted a rare specimen on Thursday evening when an enormous freshwater stingray was raised in one of the nets they laid in the river earlier in the morning.
The stingray measured 4 metres in width and weighed a hefty 280 kilograms — equivalent to the weight of five adults.
Fisherman Azeri Hipni, 42, from Kampung Stunggang Lundu, told Astro Awani that they were used to hauling big stingrays from the river but it was the first time they caught one this huge.
"It took us an hour-and-a-half to wrangle with the struggling stingray before we could finally take it back with us to the fisherman's pier at Lundu," he said.
Azeri added that he and his friends were exhausted as the giant stingray had put up a ferocious fight. However, they were also overjoyed because it was considered an unexpected blessing and providence for their livelihood during Ramadan.
Urogymnus polylepis, or better known as the giant freshwater stingray, may be the world's largest freshwater fish. However, it is unknown how many giant stingrays are left in the wild, which habitats they prefer, or if they ever venture into the ocean like their more famous relatives.
These ancient fish, ranging from brown to grey in colour, have been known to prowl river systems in Southeast Asian countries like Thailand, Cambodia, Malaysia and Indonesia.
Although stingrays are inquisitive and do not usually attack humans, they can suddenly turn hyper-aggressive when they sense real danger.
The sharp barb on the base of its tail can easily penetrate human skin and bone, much like a hunting arrow. This stinger, which can grow up to 15 inches, can introduce toxins into the victim's wound.
Suffice to say, it's best to simply keep a safe distance when you come across a stingray in the river or the ocean.
Wow
Do they eat them or use them as floor mats?
It sounds like they plan to eat it.
Does Gerry Anderson know one of his Marionation props is missing?
(Oh wait....)
“Yo. Lookit wut got caught inna net. Yeah, we gangsta with layin’ out nets.”
Hope they have the sense to clean after rolling around on it.
Sushi’s ON!!!
and ON
and ON
*shudder*
No doubt.
They suck. They should have released it!
That is an enormous ray, for a freshwater ray. Marine rays, specifically the largest species of Manta ray, can reach a width of 7 meters (23 ft.) and weigh up to 3100 lbs. Still, anyone would be hard pressed to supply a fry pan big enough for a dinner cookout.
Barbecued stingray is very good - I’ve had it many times in Singapore. But taken from specimens much smaller than this. :)
Not so rare. I used to fly the Florida East Coast on a daily basis at about 3,000 feet in the air. Springtime had thousands of them traveling south to north about 2 miles out. They were as large as 4 man tents. Usually about ten feet deep in the water. It went on for about two months before letting up. Amazing sight.
Poor thing.
Paging Steve Irwin.....
5 adults? 5 small adult women perhaps. 123 lbs each
Outside the Slot Limit.
Take pics and throw it back.
So they managed to catch this rare specimen and just killed it and ate it?
Great. Congratulations.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.