Eventually the younger fisherman spotted their net, entangled were flounder, pike-perch, bream and one very large carp, all tossed into the bottom of the boat, flapping and gasping.

CNN: All alone on the shores of the Aral Sea

Speaking to the BBC, Mr Jardine explained that the zander, sometimes known as the "pike-perch" because of its similarities to the two other species of fish, was an unusual choice of target for a pike.

BBC: Pike found choked on zander in Netherlands