Maui Snorkeling Trips

Photo Courtesy Dr. Jack Randall

The bluestripe herring is an introduced fish, although this author could not find the time line as to when, but apparently this was an accident.  This herring is seen in many areas; (widespread) Indo-West Pacific, Madagascar, Mauritius east to Japan, eastern Australia and Samoa.  No word for herring in the Hawaiian language could be found, but since this fish was not here in those times that is understandable.

According to researchers the herring is very plentiful in Hawaii, which brings a very interesting thought.  For many years humpback whale researchers insist that these whales are not eating when here.  In the North Pacific herring is one of their favorite foods.  Certainly if they came across a large school of these fish, wouldn’t they snack?  You will not ever read in this blog site that humpbacks NEVER eat while in Hawaii.  We understand with wild animals you never say never!

Looking at the above photo and seeing how beautiful and silvery these fish are helps us to understand how their highly reflective bodies can attract the eyes of larger predators like sharks and barracuda.  The herring form schools in mangroves, lagoons, and shallow bays during the day, according to researchers, and at night venture out to deeper pelagic waters where, as a juvenile, they dine on zooplankton and copepods, and adults prefer larger prey like small fish and shrimp.  They grow to 25 centimeters (9.8 inches).

These fish have minor commercial use, except for bait, and are usually seen dried, smoked, or marketed fresh or fresh frozen.  Unfortunately for this species they are very slow to recover from heavy fishing.

Will you see bluestripe herring while snorkeling in Hawaii?  It is possible as they rest in shallows during the daytime.  What an exciting photo opportunity!  Let’s go!

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