Bait balls, those tightly formed swirling masses of fish
that twist and turn in unison, are a mesmerising natural
spectacle. But, for the fish – in this case Atlantic horse
mackerel – they are a last-ditch attempt to avoid being
eaten by predators. While those at the centre of the
ball are o ered some protection from hungry jaws, the
sheer number and proximity of these horse mackerel
simultaneously create an all-you-can-eat bu et for the
Jordi Chias/naturepl.comEuropean barracudas and bluefish eagerly circling them.
IN FOCUS^ | Stick together