Author: Amkieltiela (WWF-Indonesia)

Today (4/11) the Sea Team and I dived in the waters of Kisar Island. This is our second dive in the Southwest Maluku Expedition. Since yesterday, the underwater beauty in Southwest Maluku has mesmerized me. The sea is blue and clear, underwater visibility (visibility) can reach 20 meters, and is decorated with a variety of healthy coral reefs and various types of reef fish. But in my opinion, the underwater 'champion' to date is the third dive point on this day.

At first it was business as usual. Ubun (WCS) and Indra (IPB) observed small to large fish. Myself, as roll master, was behind them and stretched out a roll meter (transect)at a depth of ten meters so that Begin's (WCS) coral data collection went smoothly. But it wasn't long before, as the team began to enter the second transect, we all simultaneously fell silent at the sight of a school - otherwise known as a 'schooling' - of yellowtail fish (Caesio lunaris, Caesio pterocaesiotile, Caesio cunning, and Caesio teres) numbering more than 600. This group of fish, characterized by a blue body color and a yellow tail with black round marks on the top and bottom of the tail, swam towards us as if they wanted to invade! We briefly stopped the observation process to enjoy this incredible sight. But when we continued our observation until the last transect, we still found this school of yellowtail fish. These schools of fish are indeed made up of schooling fish and are generally of mixed species but still of the same genus.

Yellowtail is a type of fish that can be consumed by humans. Although the population is still relatively large, the fishing method used by most fishermen in Indonesia for this type of fish is still in the spotlight of several parties, especially in the waters of Java Island. Many of these fishermen use muroami, a type of net fishing gear that is dragged in the coral reef area to scoop up as many yellowtail as possible.

This incredible discovery of yellowtail didn't go away when we surfaced and returned to Seven Seas. We dubbed the site 'Schooling Paradise', as a reminder if we ever return to this idyllic dive site.