PRIZE CATCH: Giant grouper bought by restaurant operator in Penang market
GEORGE TOWN: A GIANT grouper caused a stir among traders and customers at the Lebuh Cecil wet market here when it went for sale yesterday.
Onlookers gathered to catch a glimpse of the unique fish. With a length of 2.5m , the 200kg fish was caught in Kedah and brought to the market at 4pm on Sunday.
It was snapped up by seafood restaurant operator Chew Kean Ghee at a price of RM11,000 after bidding ended yesterday.
Fishmonger Jit Budhathoki, 24, said the grouper was the largest he had sold.
"I have never seen such a huge fish while trading here in the past six years.
"In fact, I wanted to keep the fish longer but the deal offered by the seafood restaurant operator was too good to turn down."
Jit said he and his colleagues took more than an hour to cut the fish into pieces before delivering it to the buyer.
'Fish may become endangered soon'
New Straits Times 8 Jan 14;
GEORGE TOWN: The fishermen who caught the giant kerapu should consider themselves lucky since large groupers usually stayed close to the seabed, says Universiti Sains Malaysia marine biologist Associate Professor Dr Aileen Tan Shau-Hwai.
Describing the fishermen's catch as a case of the "one that did not get away", she said the large grouper, or epinephelus lanceolatus, had been over-fished. The giant kerapu used to be common in the Straits of Malacca, with most of it hiding under rocks on the seabed.
"The one that was caught might have been unlucky, as it usually does not venture out of its comfort zone.
"Trawlers fishing in the area might have swept across the seabed and dragged the poor grouper," she said on last Sunday's 200kg catch in waters near the Kedah-Penang border.
She said going by the size and weight of the fish, she estimated it to be about 60 years old. Tan said the population of giant groupers had declined and would most likely become endangered soon.
"The International Union for Conservation of Nature has classified the giant grouper as 'vulnerable', which means it is likely to become endangered."
She also dismissed claims that the frequent encounter of the fish were related to bad omen or imminent natural disasters, including tsunami or earthquakes.
"It is not a sign of climate change either. It so happened that the fish had roamed out of its territory and got caught.
"I have dived in many parts of Malaysia. When you dive deep, you do find them at the bottom, hidden under the rocks," she said, adding that the large grouper's behaviour was similar to its smaller cousin, the common kerapu.
Tan hoped in the future, fishermen would release any large grouper that they caught for conservation purposes.
"Giant groupers are spawners. Due to their age and size, they can produce more eggs and this will ensure survival of the species."
Singaporeans and HK folk rush in for huge grouper in noodle soup
Arnold Loh The Star 8 Jan 14;
GEORGE TOWN: A Hong Kong businessman flew to Penang when told that the massive 200kg grouper caught near here would be served as noodle soup.
“I took the first available flight out of Hong Kong after receiving a text message about the catch, and arrived late Monday night,” said Johnson Chan, 67.
“Every time this eatery gets a large fish, I will be on the first available flight here,” said Chan after he had indulged on his “extra special” large bowl of fish head bee hoon soup.
Chan, who manufactures printed circuit boards in Hong Kong, was among the 500 early birds yesterday at the renowned Chew Jetty Ka Bee Cafe in Weld Quay, which paid RM11,000 for the fish caught on Monday.
The head alone tipped the scale at 60kg. The belly weighed 15kg, the liver, 17kg, and the massive swim bladder weighed 18kg.
Five men took three hours to scale, gut and cut the 200kg grouper down to manageable pieces. It took another 12 hours to turn it into the main component for fish head noodles.
Cafe proprietor Chew Kean Ghee, 41, said eating a 200kg fish was more than just a novelty and described it as “a rare chance to sample a grouper this large”.
“The belly, liver and maw of this fish are rare delicacies.
“I pressure cook the belly for three and a half hours to create a springy texture that rivals that of the sea cucumber. The liver, deep-fried, has a unique, sweet taste,” said Chew, who he has the phone numbers of over 300 regular customers in his cellphone.
Whenever he acquires a rare specimen, he flashes everyone a text message.
“Many Singaporeans have already made reservations and some have specific requests for choice parts such as the lips or the belly.
“I keep good relations with fishmongers and try to buy every big fish they have,” he said, adding that he gets about 20 big fish a year, weighing at least 50kg each.
Another recipient of Chew’s text message was state executive councillor Chow Kon Yeow, who promptly showed up with his friends for lunch.
“When I saw the front page photo of the fish in The Star, I couldn’t resist. Penang is the land of great food and this fish head bee hoon tops it,” said Chow.
Chew’s regular servings cost RM15 for a bowl with only fish fillet, and RM20 for added deep-fried fish head chunks.
Those who want to be on the “invite list” for the next big catch can message Chew at 012-465 2744.