Fishermen in Batu Karas in Pangandaran Regency in West Java pulled in a phenomenal 2.6 tonnes of red snapper in one go.

The rare phenomenon, in which hundreds of fish were caught in their nets, drew curious onlookers to Batu Karas Beach.

With great joy and not inconsiderable effort, the fishermen immediately worked to pull the fishing nets to land.

Curious local residents then flocked to the beach to help catch fish that had escaped the nets.

According to one of the fishermen, Roswati, it was the first time they had caught such big fish in such large numbers, making it a surprise for the fishermen. Each fish trapped in the net weighed 4 to 7kg.

"This is the first time this snapper has been trapped in a fishing net. Other fish often occur in the dry season. Due to the large number of large fish, the net has been damaged," said Roswati.

Meanwhile, the Batukarasa Fishermen's Association, Ujang Warman, said that this phenomenon usually occurs once every two years during the dry season. The warm sea surface increases natural fish food which makes it easier for fishermen to catch fish.

"In the rainy season, fishermen usually get a few fish. In the current dry season, thank God, this is a blessing for fishermen," he said.

The fishermen earned 76 million Indonesian rupiah (4,900 US dollars) from the haul, which they hope they will have again in future too.

Fishermen in Batukaras, Pangandaran, West Java, managed to catch 2.6 tons of red snapper. This rare phenomenon has made residents curious and flocking to the beach.

Fishermen's nets succeeded in catching hundreds of red snapper, at Batukaras Beach, Pangandaran Regency. With great joy, the fishermen immediately worked hard to pull the fishing nets to land.

Curious local residents then flocked to the beach to help catch fish that had escaped the fishermen's nets. Hundreds of large red snapper fish are known to total 2.6 tons.

According to one of the fishermen, Roswati, said that the phenomenon of hundreds of red snapper netted by fishermen in large numbers was the first time this had happened and was a surprise for the fishermen. Each fish trapped in this net measures 4 to 7 kg.

"This is the first time this snapper has been trapped in a fishing net. Other fish often occur in the dry season. Due to the large number of large fish, the net has been damaged," said Roswati.

Meanwhile, the Batukarasa Fishermen's Association, Ujang Warman, said that this phenomenon usually occurs once every two years during the dry season. The warm sea surface increases natural fish food which makes it easier for fishermen to catch fish.

"In the rainy season, fishermen usually get a few fish. In the current dry season, thank God, this is a blessing for fishermen," he said.

With a total of 2.6 tons of red snapper, the fishermen earned IDR 76 million. They hope that in the future they will get abundant fish catches again.