Dolphin Tales: Feast of mullet
This Christmas and New Year’s as we are feasting on our traditional foods, our resident bottlenose dolphins will be feasting on a meal of a variety of fish, squid and crustaceans such as crab and shrimp. But most of all, in our local waters, they will be feasting on mullet.
Dolphins use different techniques to pursue and capture prey, searching for food individually or cooperatively. They are opportunistic feeders, which means they eat the fish that share their home. Here on Pine Island, mullet is a staple fish in the dolphins’ diet.
You may have seen the mullet jumping. There are only theories about why they jump. My father always said they jump for joy. That seems to be the accepted explanation in my thorough research. However, there is some speculation.
It is possible that mullet jump to shake off clinging parasites or the females jump during spawning season to break open their egg sacks in preparation for the spawn.
Regardless, dolphins hunt the tasty mullet. They chase them into shallow waters where the bottom is covered in a layer of murky mud. Once the mullet are in a group, dolphins swim in circles around the fish, creating a muddy enclosure. The fish try to escape by jumping. Instead, they leap right into the waiting jaws of the hungry dolphins.
From spring through early fall, mullet (Mugil Cephalus) feed and fatten in the protected waterways and backwaters of Southwest Florida’s brackish coast. Female mullet (hens) grow heavy with abdomens full of yellow or red roe — an egg delicacy prized the world over.
Fried and smoked mullet are a cultural delicacy and staple for Native Floridians.
Captain Cathy Eagle has spent over 40 years boating in our local waters. As a professional charter captain, she specializes in dolphin and nature tours. Visit CaptainCathy.com or call 239-994-2572.