PHNOM PENH, Cambodia: Cambodian villagers on the Mekong River have caught a stingray fish weighing 661 pounds, which is the world's largest freshwater fish ever recorded, according to researchers.

The fish, called Boramy, which means "full moon" in the Khmer language because of its bulbous shape, took some dozen men to haul it to shore.

The 13-foot long female stingray was released back into the river after being electronically tagged.

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, said, "This is very exciting news because it was the world's largest fish. 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."

The previous record was held by a 645 pound giant catfish caught in northern Thailand in 2005.

According to its River Commission, the Mekong River has the third-most diverse fish population in the world, but overfishing, pollution, saltwater intrusion and sediment depletion have caused fish numbers to drop.