KARACHI: Fishermen caught a very rare marine fish species scientifically known as desmodema polystictum from offshore waters of Pakistan. Commonly known as polka dot ribbonfish, this is a rare deep-sea fish, which is known from circumtropical waters. This species was previously recorded on two occasions from Northern Arabian Sea and was recorded by French scientist M L Bauchot and Norwegian Scientist Gabriella Bianchi in 1994. In 2010 Dr R V Fridtjof Nansen in offshore waters of Pakistan caught another specimen during research survey carried out by Food and Agriculture Organisation Norwegian Research vessel. This is the first time fishermen have caught this rare fish in gillnets.
Nakhuda Nisar Hussain who was trained by World Wildlife Forum (WWF-Pakistan) while operating in area Murray Ridge off Churna Island with a depth of 1,034 meters caught the specimen.
It measured 32 inches with flashing red coloured fins and faint polka-dot on the body. This fish normally lives at depths of hundreds of metres, but is occasionally seen in shallow waters. The fish was released back alive.
Hussain informed he had never seen this rare fish before. He said training provided by WWF-Pakistan to fishermen has helped in rescuing many non-target species which previously used to be discarded but now were being safely released.
According to Muhammad Moazzam Khan Technical Adviser (Marine Fisheries) of WWF-Pakistan, addition of polka dot ribbonfish is a significant addition to marine fauna of Pakistan. This species is inhabitant of epi and mesopelagic zone of Pakistan and feeds on lantern fishes, squids and crustaceans.
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