The calendar said it was May 1, Labor Day. But that did not matter for a group of fishermen, net in hand, was launched into the adventure anyway. And go it was an adventure: a catfish out of the water so great that even the Department of Fisheries of Thailand wanted to weigh the huge catfish. Of course, not leaving the surprise.

They wanted to see with their eyes how the balance stuck in the 293 kilos. Among those present also came to see the feat Zebu Hogan, who is in charge of an international project to identify and study freshwater fish of great size.

Hogan confirmed that it was the heaviest fish which has been known that Thailand began to keep statistics tables, back in 1981. The data encouraged the fishermen to sell fish to environmental groups that planned to turn back to water. Incidentally, a nice gesture.

But the catfish died before delivery. Cha business? No sir, only a change of plans. Was sliced and sold as food in supermarkets and people in general. Clink box round business.

And the scientific explanation about the unexpected size? That took care Hogan, whose work is sponsored by the Global Fund for Wildlife (W W F) and the National Geographic Society. He assured that prepares a lengthy report on this unusual good find.

But something must have been in the middle of the dark, among the studies, the business of the fishermen and the food consumed by the inhabitants of the area: the giant catfish was listed as an endangered species in 2003. One detail that weighs so much like fish.