As you are gliding through the water, enjoying your dive, a flash of
light ahead of you catches your attention. Curious, you move ahead to
investigate, when suddenly, a large, silver torpedo darts past you,
followed by several more, close behind. After a few moments, they swim
by again, and you get a closer look. You notice the amber colored
stripe along the body; which connects the mouth, eye, and fin. Their
size and speed is astonishing and it gets your heart pumping as you
realize you have finally spotted an “Amberjack”!
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| A school of Amberjacks at Long Dong Bay |
The
name jack fish includes numerous species around the world but the type
most commonly spotted in the waters around Taiwan is the Greater
Amberjack. The Greater Amberjack averages from 7 to 15 kg but fishermen
have caught some as large as 70 kg. They are commonly found between 20
and 70 meters deep in rocky areas or near wrecks and other underwater
structures but also venture closer to shore to hunt.
Amberjacks
are predators so they are built for speed, which is apparent from their
shape. Their size and strength also makes them a prized gamefish for
anglers since they put up a big fight and are challenging to reel in.
Unfortunately, because of their fleshy meat, they are also a popular
fish for sushi and are commonly found in restaurants worldwide.
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| An angler with a very large Amberjack |
Your
best chance to see Amberjacks is from winter into late spring when they
spend more time closer to shore for mating. They head into deeper
waters after May, but can be spotted occasionally year round if you’re
lucky. They seem fearless, and almost playful when in the vicinity of
divers and can often be seen swimming circles around divers and their
bubble columns, so be sure to take the chance and marvel in this
exquisite sight before they depart for another year!
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