Mallorca

"The large and eye-catching shapes and forms of the Scombridae family of fish are as numerous as their visits in autumn, in September and October, including species such as the pilot fish, Naucrates ductor.

The same can be said about the well-known leerfish (Lichia amia, L. glauca and L. radigo). The first of these can measure up to one meter in length or more, while the other two range in length from between 40 and 60 cm. The amberjacks, Seriola dumerili and S. rafinesquii, sírvies for Mallorcans, are frequently captured in spring and autumn. The first of these can weigh up to 80 kg.

Much more frequent are the two species of Scomber, common from April to September, and Auxius bisus in May and June. Five species of tuna also visit these waters, the most frequent being Thunnus vulgaris and T. thunnina which Mallorcans refer to indiscriminately to both as tonyina (“tuna”). The real homeland of these fish is the deep sea, but it’s not uncommon for them to frequently present themselves along the coasts.

Bonitol or bonito (Pelamis sarda) is caught especially in spring and fall. The same occurs with Zeus faber, called here gall de mar or gall de San Pere (“sea / Saint Peter rooster" in honor of the famous legend about Saint Peter heard so often along the Mediterranean.

Also very common in September is the so-called llampuga (“mahi mahi”, Coryphaena hippuris), visible only in high seas near the surface. Even rarer is the true dorado (Coryphaena imperialis).

Lastly, worth noting is the presence of swordfish near the coast all year long. The individuals of this species tend to reach not at all insignificant proportions. Barceló i Combis told me himself that he once saw a 4-meter specimen."

Archduke Ludwig Salvator of Austria. Las Baleares por la palabra y el grabado. Majorca: General Part. Ed. Sa Nostra, Caja de Baleares. Palma de Mallorca. 1982.