Udupi: 60kg “Madal Meen” caught at Malpe

Udupi: A huge fish weighing 60kg was caught by a fishing boat attracted huge crowds to the Malpe port here.

Dr. Shivakumar Haragi, a marine biologist, said the fish caught belongs to the Sailfish variety.  They are the speedsters of the waters that can swim at a breakneck speed of 110km per hour.

Sailfish consume other smaller fish including mackerel, octopus, and sardines. “Its meat is also delicious,” he said.

In local parlance, the fish is known as “Madal Meen” (coconut leaf fish) due to the shape of its fin which resembles a coconut palm leaf.

Usually, fishermen catch Marlins weighing up to 35 kg. This may be the first time that a 60kg Marlin has been caught, said Vikram a fish trader at Malpe port, and added that the fish command an average price of Rs 120 per kg.