The tarpon is a fish that is member of the family of the Megalopidae in which there are two species : the Atlantic tarpon (Megalops atlanticus) and the Indo-Pacific tarpon, smaller than its cousin (Megalops cyprinoides). The tarpon is the biggest fish with scales in the world. This is a fish that can live both in fresh and salt water, we can meet it on the reefs where it is hunting, but also in the mangroves, where it is born, and estuaries. While diving, it is not so uncommon to meet up a few of them as it comes to feed close to the coast.

The tarpon is a warm seas fish that lives especially on Western Africa coasts and in the Caribbean. Also known as « palika » in French Guyana and « grand écaille » or « gran tekai » (« big scale ») in Martinique and Guadeloupe (French islands), this is a massive fish that can weigh up to 150 kg (roughly 300 lbs) for a size of barely 2,5m.

Its body is covered with large silvery scales ( their size on an adult fish can be up to 5cm of diameter) and its back can be darker. It is easy to recognize the tarpon thanks to its broad mouth with a prominent lower jaw, furnished with many small sharp teeth. The back fin is high and narrow, the caudal fin, like a snake’s tongue, is symmetrical.
The pectoral fins are located quite low on the body, and the pelvic ones quite on its back. All its fins are spineless as the rays that bear them are soft and articulated.
Moreover, this is one of the only fishes that can breath at the surface thanks to its swim bladder, connected to the oesophagus.
The adult tarpon is a feared predator that feeds on fishes and shellfishes, while the juvenile ones feed on plankton. The larvae grow up in the coastal marshes or estuaries.

Fishermen do like this fish as with the tarpon, fishing turns into a real sport. It is not looked for its flesh as it is quite a poor quality flesh but more for its violent reactions and combattivity when hooked.

You can meet the tarpons at the end of Tortugas (Turtle Reef).

The « conquistador » Francisco de Montejo built the city of Mérida on january the 6th of 1542. This town has been built on the ancient site of the Mayan city T’ho (also known as Ichcaanziho, « the 5 hills town », related to five pyramids), that had been an important cultural Mayan centre for centuries. Because of this, many historians consider Mérida the oldest continually occupied city in the Americas. The end of the building of Mérida marked the definitive occupation of the region by the Spanish kind.

Spanish is spoken there with a deep accent influenced by the Mayan language.

Carved Maya stones from ancient T'ho were widely used to build the Spanish colonial buildings that are plentiful in downtown Mérida, and are visible, for instance, in the walls of the main cathedral. Much of Mérida's architecture from the colonial period through the 18th century and 19th century is still standing in the centro historico of the city. From colonial times through the mid 19th century, Mérida was a walled city intended to protect the Peninsular and Criollo residents from periodic revolts by the indigenous Maya. Several of the old Spanish city gates survive, but modern Mérida has expanded well beyond the old city walls.

Late in the 19th century and the early 20th Century, the area surrounding Mérida prospered from the production of henequén. For a brief period, around the turn of the 20th century, Mérida was said to house more millionaires than any other city in the world. The result of this concentration of wealth can still be seen today. Many large and elaborate homes still line the main avenue of Paseo de Montejo, though few are occupied today by individual families. Many of these homes have been restored and now serve as office buildings for banks and insurance companies.

Mérida has one of the largest centro historico districts in the Americas (surpassed only by Mexico City and Havana, Cuba). Large and small colonial homes line the city streets to this day, in various states of disrepair and renovation; the historical center of Mérida is currently undergoing a minor renaissance as more and more people are moving into the old buildings and reviving their former glory.

Mérida is the cultural and financial capital of the Yucatán Peninsula, as well as the capital city of the state of Yucatán.

Nowadays, Mérida is quite well known for its handcrafts market : you will find there panamas (hats), huipiles (traditional dresses), guayaberas (Mayan shirts), and also hammocks… It could not be more picturesque, this market, full of colors will not let you indifferent and will let you imperishable memories.

Culturally speaking, you will find many museums, you can be sure to find one that you will like :

• the anthropological museum, located on the Paseo de Montejo
• the Yucatecan songs museum for the ones in love with music ( the « trova » is the traditional music of the town)
• the Macay museum, dedicated to modern art

For the ones that are not so fond of museums, the cathedral, as well as magnificent churches, or even the university and the theaters of the town will open their doors just to offer you an architectural and nice outline of the city.

In one word, you will automatically find something you like in this place. Do not forget the restaurants of the town, that I can promise, are worth trying !!

When you read this newsletter, you will probably be back home from your vacation or up to get back home. With the eyes still in the deep blue of the ocean, your mind remains with the multicoloured inhabitants of coral reefs, and your return to your work and the underground does not seem so charming to you.

This month, the whole Phocea team wishes to extend a little your vacation and invite you to a virtual trip that any of you can undertake.

Each diver, along his diving life, will dream about depth and will think about the fascination, the attraction and the mysteries it represents. Who has never dreamt to be the first man to saunter on the gangways of a destroyer sunk during the war ? Which diver has never closed the eyes, dreaming about being Indiana Jones looking for a treasure ? Who never felt up to go on descending while it is time to decelerate ?