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A fisherman found an ailing giant grouper in the shallow waters of Antiqué, Western Visayas, on Tuesday.
The grouper, found by Jessie Cacam, measures seven feet long (over two meters) and weighs 176 kilos.
But it died soon afterwards.
According to the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), the grouper, locally known as lapu-lapu, is abundant in Philippine waters and can grow to a gigantic size.
But it seldom swims to shallow waters or to the surface, since it dwells in deep seawater, so it may have been washed ashore by strong waves.
In a phone interview, local official Taboc Capt. Eustachio Daypuyart said the fish was sold to a businessman from Kalibo, Aklan.
Text: Cherry Palma. ABS-CBN News Iloilo
Photo: Rezn Sanchez Daypuyart and Geralden Delos Santos Musico for ABS-CBN News Iloilo
This article has been re-published with permission from ABS-CBNnews.com.
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