This World Fisheries Day, India’s Gujarat declares ‘Ghol’ fish as state fish

‘Ghol’ is one of the biggest fishes found off the coasts of Gujarat and its neighbouring state of Maharashtra and has high demand because of its qualities, including medicinal ones.

• Shubham
• 22 November, 2023

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By: Shubham Ghosh

BHUPENDRA Patel, chief minister of the western Indian state of Gujarat, on Tuesday (21) declared the ‘Ghol’ or ‘Jew’ fish as the state fish. He made the announcement at the two-day Global Fisheries Conference India 2023 which was held in the state’s Ahmedabad city.

Tuesday was also the World Fisheries Day.

Shri Bhupendra Rajnikant Patel, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Gujarat Declared the State Fish of Gujarat. This fish is known as "Ghol" or "Jew fish" Which is most valuable demersal fish. #GFCIndia2023 #FishForFuture #PMMSY #MSJA #Fisheries4India pic.twitter.com/QmtazTuPjx

— Department of Fisheries, Min of FAH&D (@FisheriesGoI) November 21, 2023

‘Ghol’ is one of the biggest fishes found off the coasts of Gujarat and its neighbouring state of Maharashtra. Golden brown in colour, the fish not only has high demand for its various uses. ‘Ghol’ is not only consumed but is also used for making beer and alcohol and has medicinal values. Its flesh and air bladder are sold separately and the latter is even exported.

A ‘Ghol’ fish can be more than a metre in length and the longer it is, the higher its price. The price of the fish could go upto Rs 5 lakh (£4,785) and make fishermen catching them rich overnight.

Indian minister of fisheries, animal husbandry and dairying Parshottam Rupala, who hails from Gujarat, also addressed the conference.