Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel declared the fish named ‘Ghol’ or Blackspotted croaker as the state fish during the inauguration of the Global Fisheries Conference India 2023.
The Ghol fish, scientifically identified as ‘Protonibea Diacanthus’ and commonly referred to as the black-spotted croaker fish, is an exceptional specimen. It is highly esteemed in East Asia due to its medicinal attributes. Packed with a wealth of nutrients such as iodine, omega-3, DHA, EPA, iron, taurine, magnesium, fluoride, and selenium, this fish is considered a nutritional powerhouse.
What distinguishes it as ‘Sea Gold’ is a pouch in its stomach, possessing potent medicinal properties that command a high value in the international market. Although primarily found in the Indo-Pacific region, the Ghol fish is now among the most expensive marine fish globally, with pollution levels causing a shift in their habitat from the shore to the deep sea.