Surprise on the Net: The Fish Stirring Up Jisr az-Zarqa Sent for Scientific Examination

A fisherman from Jisr az-Zarqa caught an unusual fish, unknown to local fishermen. The fish was sent for examination at Tel Aviv University. A researcher confirmed that this is the first documented sighting of the fish in Israel, and that another specimen was caught about two weeks ago in Caesarea.

Fisherman Nimr Jamal al-Mukhtar from the fishing village of Jisr az-Zarqa hauled up a remarkable fish in his net yesterday, one unfamiliar to local fishermen. Its body is wide, flat, and silvery, its fins long and sickle-shaped with a golden hue, and its tail is forked. The fish was transferred to researchers at Tel Aviv University. Initial assessment suggests it belongs to the pomfret group (Trachinotus). Dr. Bat Sheva Rothman of Tel Aviv University confirmed that a first specimen was caught about two weeks ago in Caesarea, and that these are the first documented records in Israel of the fish under study. Precise identification will be made through genetic testing. The fish may be kosher and is a sought-after food fish. Both catches occurred in the same marine grid cell, and it is possible the fish arrived together. Three separate appearances are required to determine that a new species has become established.