Fish migrations in lagoon
“Each year there are thirteen different fish migrations coinciding with the lunar phases. The “Bittoum” and “Spine” (sea bass), which often weigh 10 kg, appear from December 21st to February 21st. The “Bouri” (flathead mullet) and “Sarago” show themselves on the first days of spring. The “Sar” can be found on the first days of May and then disappear at the end of that same month. The season for “Marmora” (sea breams) lasts from May 20 th to August 20th. The gilt-head sea breams and “Mlabna” (a type of mullet) can be found from August 20 th until the end of October. The “Boga” come during the month of May, but only in small quantities.
Below is a chart detailing the names of the species and when they migrate:
Mabres (a type of sea bream)…April, May and June
Summer mullet ( “Bouri”) .........July, August and September
Sargos (white sea bream)……. August and September
Gilt-head sea breams ……..…. End of October, November and December
Sea bass ………………………December and January
Winter mullet ( “Bittoum”)……November and December
Large mullet ( “Bouri”) ……….January, February and March
Sole, eel, etc. …………………All year
Large captures occur with the gilt-head sea bream and flathead mullet migrations.”
Archduke Ludwig Salvator of Austria, Bizerte, J. Rothschild, Paris, 1900 (Prague, 1897)
