Bluefish (Blues) travel up and down the eastern coast from Maine to Florida and can be found off the coast of North Carolina year round.
What are bluefish roles in the environment?
Bluefish are migratory apex predators who's diet is other fish. Most of the time they end up eating anything of abundance. Their teeth are quite similar to those of a great white shark, meant for piercing and tearing. These fish eat mostly anchovies but are known to attack other larger fish species. Though they are considered apex predators, bluefish serve as an important meal for many species of shark along the east coast.
Edible?
Bluefish are considered oily fish by many who eat them, with this they are full of omega-3 fatty acids. They have a unique flavor, many say they taste like an ocean. The fish can grow up to 30 pounds or more and can live to an average of 12 years. Bluefish can lose there freshness quickly due to their heavy amounts of fatty acids. This induces the fishy taste that many may not enjoy.
Where can they be found?
Regularly found along the east coast they reside in NC in all seasons. Though in the months of September - November they tend to be more accumulate on the NC coast more often. Bluefish run along the coast of NC drawing crowds of fisherman and other predators, sharks. FIRST PERSON ENCOUNTER: On September 20th of this year, there was a decent swell at Wrightsville Beach, which drew me into the water to catch some waves. As I spent my time out in the water I noticed bluefish, about the size of an NFL football, jumping out of the water. They were much bigger than the usual fish that are seen breaching at WB. This caught my attention, taking it away from the waves... making me wonder; who and what are chasing these fish? It didn't take long for my question to be answered as a 4-5ft Black Tip Shark fully breached in it's chase for food. It was an amazing feat of nature making me feel apart of the ever so diverse environment that we are a part of.
↓ READ MORE ABOUT BLUEFISH ↓
https://ncseagrant.ncsu.edu/coastwatch/previous-issues/2016-2/holiday-2016/running-with-the-blues/