story on MSN-Giant Catfish in Thailand

[seafox]

Fish whopper: 646 pounds a freshwater record
Researchers cite Thai catch to stress extinction dangers
This Mekong giant catfish was weighed at 646 pounds by researchers working on a project to identify, study and conserve large freshwater fish around the world.
Suthep Kritsanavarin

Look at this link for a picture.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8404622/?GT1=6657

MSNBC
Updated: 12:42 p.m. ET June 29, 2005
Thai fishermen netted a catfish as big as a grizzly bear, setting a world record for the largest freshwater fish ever found, according to researchers who studied the 646-pound Mekong giant catfish as part of a project to protect large freshwater fish.

“It’s amazing to think that giants like this still swim in some of the world’s rivers,” project leader Zeb Hogan project leader said in a statement. “We’ve now confirmed now that this catfish is the current record holder, an astonishing find.”

“I’m thrilled that we’ve set a new record, but we need to put this discovery in context: these giant fish are uniformly poorly studied and some are critically endangered," added Hogan, a fellow with the World Wildlife Fund, which is partnering with the National Geographic Society. "Some, like the Mekong giant catfish, face extinction.”

'Largest fish species disappearing'
Hogan said his study of giant freshwater fish "is showing a clear and global pattern: the largest fish species are disappearing.

"The challenge is clear," he added, "we must find methods to protect these species and their habitats. By acting now, we can save animals like the Mekong giant catfish from extinction.”

Hogan's project includes two-dozen other species, including the giant freshwater stingray, the dog-eating catfish, the dinosaur-like arapaima, and the Chinese paddlefish – "all of which remain contenders for the title of the world’s largest fish," the researchers stated, pending the final results of their work.

"Long shots for the title include caviar-producing sturgeon, goliath Amazon catfish, giant lungfish, razor-toothed gars, massive cods, and Mongolian salmon," they added.

Didn't survive capture
The Mekong giant catfish was caught and eaten in a remote village in Thailand along the Mekong River, home to more species of giant fish than any other river in the world, the researchers said.

Local environmentalists and government officials had negotiated to release the fish so it could continue its spawning migration in the far north of Thailand, near the borders of Thailand, Laos, Myanmar and China, but the adult male later died.

The researchers said the Mekong giant catfish is declining as a species due to habitat destruction and upstream dams.

The Mekong River Basin is home to more species of massive fish than any river on Earth, they added, and Mekong fish are the primary source of protein for the 73 million people that live along the river.

[baz3338]

I just think it's a bit sad. As a veggie for the last 20 years, I'm always wary of preaching to others about my beliefs re eating flesh. (unless it's got hair round it or shaven ). But, bearing in mind these creatures have been around infinitely longer than our own species, I despair sometimes of the human race's general view that everything, including our fellow creatures, is seen as just a commodity. Ok there's cultural/ poverty issues etc, but there's not a lot of poverty in the so-called 'developed' world- yet creatures are still hunted to near extinction here.

Having seen a tv programme on abbatoirs when i was a teenager, I decided there & then that if I found that disturbing, then I had no right to eat it, so I haven't touched the stuff since.

It troubles me that people in the west object to SE Asians eating, say, dogs or cats, yet they rarely flinch when it's a pig or cow. I don't see how it's any different, I find it all distasteful. Trouble is, no-one bothers to make the connection between, say, 2lb of beef on a styrofoam tray, and where it's actually come from.

Ultimately it's each to his own. I don't touch the rancid stuff, but it's not up to me what others do. Human nature I suppose.... but I don't hold out much hope for the survival of these beautiful creatures.

[aussie dollar]

Not sure if they eat catfish.
sorry love my meat each too there own i reckon.

[urtheman]

I truly belive that if many animals that we eat were smarter and bigger and had the ability to eat us they would.
We were born omnivoures thats why we have the type of teeth we have.

I think the quality of life an animal has while being raised for consumption is important though.

It's a big issue you bring up and I understand how you feel.

[JayBee]

M-m-m-m! Catfish! I'm hungry!!

I was vegetarian for most of my life. I only started eating meat again after a couple trips to LOS. It was too much of a hassle doing the veggie thing there, and I have problems with losing weight whiole I'm there anyhow.

I used to worry about the poor animals. And I still think it is weird when someone says, "How could they eat a dog or cat?" as if people who eat dogs and cats are some kind of monsters. When I hear people say that, I think, "OH, and what about that lamb or veal you had for dinner?" Just think about those cuddly little lambs. I'd rather sleep with one than eat it!

But, on the other hand, how many cattle and sheep are there in the world? How many do you think there would be if we wer all vegetarians. They would probably be on the verge of extinction like half the other animals on this planet. How many cattle or sheep could fend for themselves in what little land there is left for wild critters? They couldn't make it living in the hills around here.

So, I think Urtheman has a good point. But just the same, you won't catch me eating any lamb or veal!

JayBee

[urtheman]

If it answers to it's own name and has a personality- kill it and eat it!

If it dosen't answer to it's own name - hunt it down and kill it and eat it!

If it answers to it's own name, take it out to dinner, buy it a new cellphone, buy a new handbag and perfume, go play pool and give it plenty of Spy wine cooler- then take it home and eat it

[Whazzzup]

Originally Posted by seafox

Fish whopper: 646 pounds a freshwater record
Researchers cite Thai catch to stress extinction dangers
This Mekong giant catfish was weighed at 646 pounds by researchers working on a project to identify, study and conserve large freshwater fish around the world.
Suthep Kritsanavarin

Look at this link for a picture.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8404622/?GT1=6657

That is a mighty big fish you caught there Seafox.

I am more into carp fishing myself. Caught this one back in the year 2000 in the Bing Sam Lan Lake. Suddenly something big yanked on my fishing pole and it appeared to be a Siamese carp of 110 kg. on the other end of the line. Caught mine with snakeheads.

I see your fish is slightly bigger, but guess your name says it all. The size of the fish increases with the telling, that's why I added a picture as well.

Honestly .... I'm not really into fishing. .... the only thing I caught in Thailand was the bus to Phuket Town. The rest of the story is true though.

[baz3338]

There's a list here to dispel some of these claims. For all I know these are counter-claims, though most appear to me to be basically factual.
http://www.viva.org.uk/goingveggie/top20.html

Like JB says, it's a pain in LOS to get food that never had a face, if only 'cos they put nam plaa in everything, unless you ask 'em not to ! Ah well, I can stick to my fat farang stodge as a last resort...

At least it's rare in LOS to smell catfish when drinking from the cup of love

[CeeGee]

Thats the last time I am going to say yes in Mac Ds when they ask, "Do you want to go large"

[Dodger]

I respect a vegan for their beliefs as long as they do not impose them on me, but cannot understand a vegitarian preaching to me about eating meat and then admiting that they eat chicken and fish, wear leather shoes etc, find it all a bit hypocritical.

[hugos]

Originally Posted by butterflyblonde

Things now that are on my ''not to do list''

Swim in the mekong river

55555555555555555 me, too!