26.05.2021 – Five star sea restaurant

This morning we took our guests to the five star sea restaurant. There is the freshest table you can get. What is a pleasure to eat for some is not fun for others. Today we were only spectators while the Atlantic spotted dolphins (Stenella frontalis) enjoyed themselves in the dolphin fish restaurant. With their approx. 130-160 sharp, conical teeth, they grab their prey. Today we were lucky enough to be able to capture a small hunting scene in the photos. Cephalopods (squid and octopus), invertebrates and various small fish species are on the menu for this species of dolphin. Always served fresh from the sea, of course.

On the way back we met a fishing boat that specializes in catching scabbard fish (Aphanopus carbo). In order to catch these from the depths, buoys with flags attached are lowered into the water. The long lines underneath reach a depth of 1000-1500 meters. Side lines with hooks are attached at intervals in order to catch the scabbard fish, which can be up to 1.50 meters long. Here in Madeira, this specialty is brought to the table in a wide variety of preparation methods. The tourists of Madeira can not enjoy this specialty as fresh as dolphins can enjoy their prey, but still fresh and delicious.

In the afternoon we had a very nice, intensive encounter with the Bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). A juvenile turned to one side again and again as it swam in the bow wave and looked up at us. A mother brought her calf to the boat. There were fantastic jumps. How great it must be to be able to do something like that. To catapult yourself into the air and then dive into the blue with a splash or very elegantly.

The second observation situation led us to behind Ribeira Brava. A large group of dolphins was waiting for us there. Short-beaked Common dolphins (Delphinus delphis) and Striped dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba) roamed the sea together here.

By Fatima Kutzschbach

Sightings of the day

Ribeira Brava

14:30 Bottlenose dolphins, Common dolphins, Striped dolphins

Stenella

10:00 Atlantic spotted dolphins