'Symbol of the fate of the Mekong River'
According to the Wonders of the Mekong Organization and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), on November 14, 2023, in Phnom Penh (Cambodia), the Guinness World Records Organization officially recognized the giant stingray named Boramy in the Mekong River as the world's largest freshwater fish. The announcement ceremony was attended by many stakeholders from the community to local authorities and international organizations.
A 300kg stingray named "Boramy" is officially the world's largest freshwater fish, released back into the Mekong River in June 2022.
Source: Wonders of the Mekong
Previously, in June 2022, fishermen in Stung Treng Province (Cambodia) caught this giant stingray and contacted the Wonders of the Mekong Organization (funded by USAID) with the hope of returning the fish to nature. Conservationists worked with Cambodian officials and scientists to coordinate the return of it to the mother river Mekong.
"The giant stingray is a symbol of the fate of the Mekong River and how to balance river basin development with environmental management of the river. The river's richness must be protected so that it can continue to provide and nourish the people of the region for generations to come," Chea Seila, head of the Wonders of the Mekong Foundation in Cambodia, said at the Guinness World Records announcement.
On November 14, 2023, in Phnom Penh (Cambodia), the Guinness World Records Organization officially recognized the stingray named Boramy on the Mekong River as the world's largest freshwater fish.
Currently, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Cambodia (MAFF) in collaboration with the Wonders of the Mekong Foundation plans to work with international scientists to share information to support the development of tools to protect this giant fish. "We wholeheartedly support these important efforts to provide scientific information and technical support for the management of giant stingrays and other aquatic resources in Cambodia. Giant stingray conservation is consistent with our commitment to the sustainable development of Cambodia's inland aquatic resources for the country's long-term food security and prosperity," said a MAFF representative.
The "world's largest" freshwater fish was caught in Cambodia and the happy ending
Avoid the risk of extinction
Dr Zeb Hogan, head of Wonders of the Mekong, said: “The giant stingray is a species on the brink of extinction. Its reintroduction and the installation of tracking devices will provide valuable information for the conservation of this fish. It also demonstrates the great cooperation in nature conservation thanks to the coordination of many parties such as government agencies, communities and international organizations. “The recognition by Guinness and the discovery of the record-breaking fish raises awareness of the incredible importance of the Mekong River. It also helps to motivate future conservation efforts,” Hogan said.
The team measured the fish and attached a tracking device before returning it to the Mekong River.
The giant fish, which the fishermen have named “Boramy” or “Full Moon,” has been fitted with an acoustic tracking device so researchers can identify critical habitat for the endangered species. Since the fish was caught last year, researchers working with the local community have found that the stingrays are often in a deep pool, highlighting the importance of developing fish stocks to protect endangered species.
The previous record, which had stood for nearly two decades, belonged to a giant catfish caught in Thailand. In 2005, a 293 kg, 2.7 m long giant catfish was caught in northern Thailand. At the time, it was the world’s largest freshwater fish.
Scientists estimate that the Mekong River section through Cambodia is home to more giant fish species than any other river on earth. There are two giant catfish species, the giant catfish and the giant swordfish, along with giant carp that Vietnamese people often call giant catfish, giant barramundi, seven-striped barramundi and seven-striped carp...
The Mekong River is also home to another special species of fish, the Irrawaddy dolphin.
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