MANAUS, BRAZIL - A fisherman recorded a video showing a school of jaraqui fish leaping into a canoe during a fishing trip in the Costa da Conceição community, located in the municipality of Itacoatiara, in Brazil’s Amazonas state. In the footage, the vessel moves in circles while dozens of fish jump out of the Amazon River at the same time.

According to the fisherman, the phenomenon is common among residents of the community and occurs every year in the region. The large concentration of fish may be linked to the spawning migration season, known in Brazil as piracema, when fish travel upstream to reproduce in headwater areas.

The jumping behavior is often caused by obstacles encountered in the rivers. Despite the large number of fish, the fisherman said the abundance does not necessarily translate into higher profits for those who depend on fishing for their livelihood.

According to him, an oversupply of fish drives down prices and makes it more difficult to sell the catch.

Amazon Agency