05.08.2023 – Fish and fishing tours

The ocean is full of life. Different species, appearances and colors, the sea surprises again and again. This morning we found two very interesting fish besides Bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) and Atlantic spotted dolphins (Stenella frontalis). A Puffer fish (Tetraodontiformes), which only partially existed. When we humans eat puffer fish as sashimi, it requires a high level of skill on the part of the cook. The training to be able to prepare a puffer fish takes several years. This is because the puffer fish’s venom can be fatal if ingested. So you have to be familiar with the preparation, mistakes can be fatal. Dolphins are also adept at using Puffer fishes. They use the Puffer fish to get high, among other things. They irritate the puffer fish until it releases its venom and then ingest just the right dose to bring itself into other states of consciousness.

In this You tube video you can see how the dolphins achieve this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=msx3BAhIeQg

Flying fish are bony fish. There are many different types. Some have two, others four wing-like fins. The star of the day, a beautifully marked Atlantic Flying Fish (Cheilopgon melanurus) took shelter by our boat for a moment. He was exhausted. Its gorgeous yellow color and beautifully grained wing-like fins contrasted well with the blue of the sea. After he had recharged his batteries, he set off again into the infinite, blue expanses.

The midday tour was more about fishing out various objects. We found an inflatable beach ball, a balloon with a unicorn, a children’s swimming animal depicting a llama, a vat and a cutting board to prepare fish. Two of those things will make a little girl named Francesca happy. Luckily we also saw Bottlenose dolphins and a Trigger fish (Balistidae)

In the evening we started the tour with Bottlenose dolphins, a small calf was in their midst. Drumond fished out a Trigger fish from under pallet and a White-faced Petrel (Pelagodroma marina) hopped happily across the surface of the sea. The little bird looked so dainty, about 20 cm tall and weighing 42-60 grams, very filigree.

By Fatima Kutzschbach

Sightings of the day

Ribeira Brava

09:30 Bottlenose dolphins

13:30 Bottlenose dolphins

Stenella

09:30 Bottlenose dolphins, Atlantic spotted dolphins, Puffer fish, Atlantic Flying fish

14:00 Bottlnose dolphins, Loggerhead turtle, Trigger fish

17:00 Bottlnose dolphins, Trigger fish, White-faced storm petrel