MUSCAT: An Omani fisherman netted shamahi (bu daba or croaker fish), popularly known as Sarif, a rarest of rare variety which can fetch thousands of Omani riyals.

Salman bin Hamad bin Khamis Al Farsi, Secretary of the Omani Association of Fishermen, said that the Sarif is distinguished by its golden color, small head and length could be anywhere between 10-40 meters and weigh anywhere between 20-50 kg.

“The male is distinguished from the female by the presence of air bladder and its large size attracts the female during the spawning season. The male is also distinguished from the female in its external form, as the male is wider on the side of the abdomen. When by pressing on its stomach a white coloured liquid is discharged, it can be confirmed as a male,” explained Al Farsi.

“The value of the male is higher than the female due to the presence of the air bladder as it contains a ball of string that makes the sound to attract the female. Of course, the prices of Shamahi fish vary while the color differs from black, gray or silver cashews. Normally, it doesn’t exceed 800 baisa/kg. The cost of the golden (Bu daba) one may exceed from OMR 25 to 30 according to the weight which can be from 20-50 kg. The one gram of bladder may reach approximately OMR 3.8,” Al Farsi said about the high price.

The high price of fish is also due to the value of its meat. “The bladder has medicinal value, particularly as it contains sulfur which is used in botox treatment. And it is rich in protein. The demand for its soup is so high in South East Asian restaurants that it is sold at exorbitant prices,” he added.

The season of this rare species is from April to June and breeds in Al Wusta, South Al Sharqiyah and Dhofar governorates.

The landing of Shamahi fish (all types and sizes) from 2016 – 2020 is as follows:

Al Wusta Governorate (22,350 tons or 61% of the total landing)

South Al Sharqiyah Governorate (9,432 tons or 26%), and

Dhofar Governorate (4,477 tons or 12%).