Flying fish
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Cheilopogon |
The Exocoetidae or flying fish are a marine fish family comprising about 50 species grouped in seven to nine genera. Flying fish are found in all of the major oceans, particularly in the warm tropical and subtropical waters of the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian oceans. Their most striking feature is their pectoral fins, which are unusually large, and enable the fish to take short gliding flights through air, above the surface of the water, in order to escape from predators. Their glides are typically around 50 meters (160 ft), but they can use updrafts at the leading edge of waves to cover distances of at least 400 meters (1,300 ft).[1]
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[edit] Importance
[edit] As food source
Flying fish, often preserved by drying, are a staple of the Tao people of Orchid Island. In Japanese cuisine, flying fish roe (Tobiko), often from Cheilopogon agoo (Japanese flying fish), is used to make some types of sushi.
[edit] Barbados
Historically the country of Barbados was nicknamed as "The land of the Flying fish". Today it remains the official national fish for the country.[2] The once abundant flying fish migrated between the warm coral-filled Atlantic Ocean surrounding the island of Barbados and the plankton-rich outflows of the Orinoco River in Venezuela.
Just after the completion of the Deep Water Harbor in Bridgetown, Barbados saw an increase of international ships, linking the island to the world. As a result the overall health of the coral reefs surrounding Barbados suffered due to ship-based pollution. Additionally, over-fishing by Barbadians has meant the species of flying fish have slowly retreated closer to the Orinoco river delta, no longer returning around Barbados in large numbers. Today the flying fish only annually migrate as far north as the island of Tobago, around 120 nautical miles southwest of Barbados. Despite the move, Flying fish have remained a coveted delicacy in Barbados. In recent times the flying fish have also been gaining in culinary popularity in other islands, adding fuel to several Caribbean-maritime disputes.
In 2006 the council of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea handed down a ruling[3] fixing the maritime boundaries between Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago over the flying fish dispute which gradually raised inter-island tensions between the neighbours.[4] The ruling stated that both countries must now preserve flying fish stock for the future. Barbadian fishers have still tried to follow the flying fish southward in search of the Barbadian delicacy. Flying fish remain an important part of Barbados' main national dish[5] which is known as Cou-Cou and Flying Fish.[6][7]
Many aspects of Barbadian culture are centered around the flying fish: it is depicted on coins, as sculptures in fountains, in artwork, or even as part of the official logo of the Barbados Tourism Authority, which features a flying fish in flight.[8] Additionally, the Barbadian coat of arms features a pelican and dolphin fish on either side of the shield, but the dolphin resembles a flying fish.
[edit] Etymology
The origin of the term Exocoetidae is as follows:
- Greek 'εξωκοιτος = "lying down outside", "sleeping under the stars", from 'εξω = "outside" and κειμαι = "I lie down", applied to some flying-fishes that go out of water to sleep on the shore (Pliny's Natural History, vol. IX, 19). This form is more likely, as shown by the Latin name "exocoetus".
Flying fishes have given their name to:
- The Exocet guided missile[9].
- Three ships of the United States Navy named USS Flying Fish.
- The constellation Volans ("flying fish").
[edit] Flight time record
In May 2008, a Japanese television crew (NHK) filmed a flying fish (dubbed "Icarfish") off the coast of Yakushima Island, Japan. The creature spent 45 seconds in flight. This is thought to be one of the longest recorded flights by a specimen of that family. The fish was able to stay aloft by occasionally beating the surface of the water with its caudal (tail) fin.[10] The previous record was 42 seconds.[10].
[edit] Art
 Flying Fish by Herbert James Draper, 1910 |
 A detail of a painting by Hieronymus Bosch |
[edit] See also
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Exocoetidae |
[edit] References
- ^ Piper, Ross (2007), Extraordinary Animals: An Encyclopedia of Curious and Unusual Animals, Greenwood Press.
- ^ The Central Bank of Barbados: Outstanding Barbadians & Cultural Symbols - The Flying Fish
- ^ United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (2006-04-11). Arbitration Ruling between Barbados and the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, p. 75.
- ^ Claims of Caribbean piracy as national symbol takes flight - World - www.smh.com.au
- ^ Flying fish of Barbados :: Gowealthy.com
- ^ Editorial: Our Fisheries — rights and duties, Trinidad & Tobago Express (2006-06-25).
- ^ Tribunal reaches decision in the marine dispute between Trinidad & Tobago and Barbados, Trinidad & Tobago Express (undated).
- ^ The Barbados Tourism Authority - in the Barbados Ministry of Tourism
- ^ Guillot, Jean; Estival, Bernard (1988). L’extraordinaire aventure de l’Exocet. Les éditions de la Cité. The missile's name was given by M. Guillot, then technical director at Nord Aviation, after the French name for flying fishes.
- ^ a b "BBC article and video of flying fish". bbc.co.uk. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/7410421.stm. Retrieved on 2008-05-20.
