Biggest freshwater fish in the world caught in Cambodia from Mekong River

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Fishermen living on the banks of the Mekong River in Cambodia have hit the headlines for catching the world’s biggest freshwater fish weighing 300 kg that took around a dozen men to haul to shore.</p>
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The 13-foot-long female stingray was released back into the Mekong after being electronically tagged to allow scientists to monitor her behaviour.</p>
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"This is very exciting news because it was the world's largest fish," said biologist Zeb Hogan, ex-host of the "Monster Fish" show on the National Geographic Channel and now part of a conservation project on the river.</p>
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"It is also exciting news because it means that this stretch of the Mekong is still healthy…. It is a sign of hope that these huge fish still live here."</p>
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The earlier record was held by a 293 kg giant catfish that was caught upstream in northern Thailand in 2005.</p>
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The Mekong is reported to have one of the most varied fish population in the world, but overfishing, pollution and saltwater intrusion have taken their toll.</p>