This is the Empurau fish, of the white species (there are 2 other species - red and black). Found upstream in fast flowing Sarawak rivers with clear clean rock-bottom waters (major rivers in Kapit, Belaga, Limbang, Lawas and Ulu Baram). Catch for the family table weighs 2 - 10kg, but can grow up to 30kg, tho rare nowadays. Feeds on certain type of flowers and fruit - ensurai and engkabang trees. Dwindling in numbers. Only on a vey lucky day can you catch one - like striking a lottery ticket prize.
Very, very tasty, flesh with tinge of sweetness. Juicy in its own oil. Best cooked steam. Most yummy fish. Way, way tastier than the common salmon, cod, tuna or others. Even the scales are soft, sweet to eat.
Guess how much it costs.
RM300 - RM450 per Kg from the kampong fisherman, depending on which part of the river. RM500 - RM1,000 per Kg from the middleman. Served at RM1,000 - RM1,500 per Kg in selected chinese restaurant.
According to Dr Elli Luhat, the empurau is found mainly in trans-Himalayan countries like Nepal, Afghanistan and all the way to Burma. It is known as “mahseer” in some of these countries.
Said to be the king of the Himalayan rivers. Locally, the Semah, which is of the same family, is often mistaken as the Empurau. The Empurau's long median lobe on the lower lips distinguishes it from the Semah.
The empurau’s population is dwindling due mainly to indiscriminate logging. It has been successfully bred for the first time at the Tarat Inland Fisheries Station in Serian. This breakthrough is the result of three years of collaboration between the Fisheries Division and Deakin University headed by Prof. Sena De Silva.
Contact Dr Elli (+60.13.8289795 or ordrelliluhat@gmail.com), for conservation and breeding of empurau.
No comments:
Post a Comment