Barracuda

Barracuda are among Guadeloupe’s most widespread large predators. Originally mainly coastal, they inhabit a wide range of depths, including very shallow water.

In recent years, I have noticed them increasingly offshore. My impression is that declining prey close to shore may play a part.

If the sea had a cartoon villain, barracuda would be a strong candidate! Their sharp pointed teeth, projecting lower jaw and dark bars across silver flanks make them easy to recognise.

Opportunistic and territorial, they are often first to attack fish hooked during a fight.

They have become experts at “tuna-jacking”: sometimes it is difficult to bring a small tuna to the boat whole and alive. Occasionally a barracuda also hooks itself, leaving us with both the predator and its partly eaten prey.

With few predators of their own, they act as though they own the place and may attack hooked fish right beside the boat.