Flashes of Silver in Sulawesi

Today?s diving confirmed that Sulawesi diving produces memorable experiences. Gorontalo?s Traffic Jam dive site is popular both with visiting divers and resident fish. This morning in flat seas and 25-meter visibility more than just the usual schools of fish were streaming back and forth, up and down the wall. So were schools of Bigmouth mackerel (Rastrelliger kanagurta). Flashing silver in the morning sun, these delicious fish were swimming in tight schools below in the 30-meter range as well as above at the reef crest. Some schools seemed to steer away from the bubbles, but one school came within a few meters. These fish thrive in the plankton-rich waters of Sulawesi?s Tomini Bay. Those diving here usually see them swimming frantically just under the surface, mouths agape, so as to strain plankton through their gills. One recent guest thought this quite funny to watch.