Stingray, a rare sight among Japanese people

 

A few days ago, a Japanese man caught the above stingray at a fishing pier. Everyone panic as most have not seen a stingray before. Someone shouted a warning that the barb (can really hurt if you touch it) is dangerous and sting people. Stingray is rare in Japan but to me a Singaporean, it is quite common. No one knew how to get rid of the barb. I volunteered to do the job. The process of breaking the barb is easy meat for me as I used to catch stingrays off the water in Bedok and rendered them harmless. I drove a sharp instrument between the barb and the tail and broke it. The Japanese were relieved. The guy who caught the ray wanted to throw it back into the sea. Before he could do that I asked whether I could have the ray. He was surprised that I wanted the ray. I told him it is a good eating fish if he knows how to cook it. He shook his head and said he didn't want it. I gladly cleaned it and brought it home for our meal.