Singapore lands 220kg fish

by Olivia Siong

THERE was some seriously fishy business going on at 2nd Kitchen at Balestier Road on Friday.

A 220kg Queensland Grouper from Indonesia was reeled in by the restaurant owner/chef and Queensland Grouper expert, Johnny Tan.

The fish - which is known for its springy but firm texture - is an extremely rare find. According to Chef Tan, it may take 3-5 years before one even lands such a catch.

The largest reef-dwelling fish in the world, food lovers would be glad to know that everything from the grouper's scales to bone marrow can be eaten and cooked in a variety of ways.

Approximately 40 to 50 of Chef Tan's regular customers have already placed reservations for a piece of this rare fish at his restaurants 2nd Kitchen in Balestier and Great Atlantis in Punggol.

Clivebenss

18 Jul 10, 19:09

Acid need this.

Just_do_it_lah

18 Jul 10, 19:17

wah... big fish...!!

^Acid^ aka s|aO^eH~

18 Jul 10, 19:22

zomg~~~~~~~~

huai lyke dat !??!?!?!?!??!?!

Clivebenss

18 Jul 10, 20:15

big reef fish is usually high in heavy metals.

Rock cod.

105090

18 Jul 10, 20:38

caught in Malaysia, but Singapore calls it her own.. and reporter says caught in indonesia..

Clivebenss

19 Jul 10, 21:47

Queensland Grouper (Epinephelus Lanceolatus) listed in IUCN as vunerable species

19 Jul - ST Forum

MR HARVEY NEO: 'I find it disconcerting that the sale of a 220kg Queensland grouper (Epinephelus Lanceolatus) to a local restaurant was reported with such relish last Saturday ('Eatery dishing up 220kg monster fish'), to the point of detailing the various prized parts of the fish and how they can be cooked.

The fish is listed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature as a vulnerable species. The situation could very well be more serious because actual population data for the fish cannot be ascertained due to its rarity.

Most states in Australia have placed a partial or total ban on the fishing of the Queensland grouper as early as the 1970s. The Andaman Islands have also banned its commercial exploitation.

Such conservation efforts would come to nought if the popular press continues to glamorise the consumption of vulnerable or endangered fish species. The Queensland grouper is the world's largest reef-dwelling fish and a majestic and beautiful creature. It is a pity some can appreciate it only when it is steamed, stewed or stir-fried.'

Arapahoe

21 Jul 10, 21:11

well....Asia is the last place on Earth to banned food....our mind set still have yet to over come LIVE to EAT as compare to EAT to LIVE.

Clivebenss

21 Jul 10, 21:50

Originally posted by Arapahoe:

well....Asia is the last place on Earth to banned food....our mind set still have yet to over come LIVE to EAT as compare to EAT to LIVE.

haiz.. what to do?