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September 17, 2023

Wind, ROV and flying fish

BY: Oceana Web

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© OCEANA / Enrique Talledo

 

After almost 10 years with Oceana, I finally had the pleasure of getting to know the Ranger! I boarded in the early hours of the morning in Almerimar to set sail for Carboneras, south of the Gulf of Vera. Watching the sunrise from the deck is one of the most magical and indescribable experiences the boat has to offer, with the whole crew mesmerised despite it being a common part of life at sea.
We left port with the intention of finding trawlers. However, as it was Sunday, they weren’t out fishing, so we took advantage of the calm waters to try out the ROV.
During the crossing we saw tuna feeding on small pelagic fish, and shearwaters trying to eat the ones that were swimming away from the tuna. The show was made complete when they were joined by hundreds of flying fish spreading their glittering wings. I will never cease to be amazed by the serene, rational harmony of the animal kingdom.
The wind started to pick up and we were only able to record with the ROV for half an hour. We saw tube worms, dead man’s fingers, ascidians and flatfish roaming freely at a depth of 50-60 metres on a mostly sandy bottom.
As the wind wasn’t letting up, we decided to go directly to the port of Cartagena to shelter there for the night.
After a few hours’ sleep, we picked up our guests, Theresa Zabell and her son Eugenio, and set off in search of trawlers.

© OCEANA / Enrique Talledo. Senior Director Development & Innovation Europe, Maria Perez, Senior Marine Scientist Helena Alvarez and Social Media Specialist Lucinda Birk watching ROV 300 immersion in the screen. Alboran Sea, Almeria, Andalucia, Spain.