In a remarkable haul off the coast of Teknaf municipality in Cox’s Bazar, a trawler crew brought in an extraordinary 1,100 red coral fish, each weighing between four and six kilograms. The catch, sold late on Tuesday night for BDT 31.2 lakh, delighted both the trawler owner and the fishermen, marking one of the most lucrative single catches in the area this year.
The trawler arrived at Kaikukkhali Ghat at 11:30 pm, sparking intense competition among local fish traders eager to secure the prized red coral. The fish had been caught earlier that afternoon in the Shilerkum area of the Bay of Bengal, situated southwest of Saint Martin’s Island. A team of 15 fishermen, working under challenging conditions, brought the catch aboard after just an hour of netting.
Trawler Owner’s Statement
The vessel, owned by Mohammad Mizan of Choudhuripara, Teknaf, yielded a total weight of approximately 120 maunds (≈4,478 kg) of red coral. Though the initial asking price was BDT 45 lakh, the catch was ultimately sold for BDT 31.2 lakh, equating to roughly BDT 26,000 per maund or BDT 650 per kilogram.
| Item | Quantity / Weight | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Red Coral Fish | 1,100 fish | – |
| Total Weight | 120 maunds (~4,478 kg) | – |
| Total Sale Price | – | BDT 31,20,000 |
| Price per Maund | – | BDT 26,000 |
| Price per Kilogram | – | BDT 650 |
This catch follows a notable haul earlier this year: on 7 January, a trawler owned by Mohammad Zakaria of Shahporir Island in Teknaf caught 687 red coral fish, which sold for BDT 10 lakh.
Fishermen’s Experience
Rahmat Ullah, the trawler captain, said the team had struggled to find substantial fish off Teknaf’s coast in recent days. “Fishing further south towards Saint Martin’s Island is risky due to reports of the Arakan Army firing on fishermen and seizing trawlers,” he noted. Despite these dangers, the crew ventured into the Shilerkum area, where they discovered the abundant red coral, immediately notifying the owner.
Crew member Salim Ullah added that they departed at 8 pm and reached Kaikukkhali Ghat by 11:30 pm, where local trader Rashid Ahmad purchased the entire catch. Ahmad explained that red coral could fetch up to BDT 700 per kilogram in markets, although most of the haul would be transported to Dhaka.
Local Fisheries Perspective
Teknaf Upazila Fisheries Officer Umul Fara Begum emphasised the value of red coral, describing it as a highly prized fish whose numbers have declined significantly over recent years. She noted that individual red coral can grow up to nine kilograms, making large catches increasingly rare.
The latest haul underscores both the economic importance of red coral to local fishermen and the persistent risks they face at sea.