Sunfish Research Project
So good to be part of other projects happening around the country. We were approached by Kim Greenwood, a Master's student at the University of Cape Town, under the supervision of Associate Professor Colin Attwood. Kim is currently conducting a research project in collaboration with the Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation to investigate the patterns of occurrence and distribution of ocean sunfish throughout South African waters. Part of her research involves tracking reported sightings at various locations throughout the year. Kim is looking for people who spend time in or on the ocean along the Western and Southern Cape Coast to help us. Asking those who undertake regular boat trips (e.g., Charters, ferries, tourist boats, NSRI), swim in the ocean, dive etc., to report any sunfish they see, as well as the below indicated supplementary data if possible.
Ocean Sunfish are a unique family of fish found all over the world. There are 5 species, all of which have been identified in South African waters. Up until recently, very little has been known about these fish.
Searching for Sunfish is a collaborative project between a UCT masters student and the Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation. We are using sightings from ocean explorers like Raggy Charters to track their occurrence and distribution throughout the seasons to learn more about this peculiar fish and if possible, how to protect them. Kim will share all results when the project has been completed. We look forward to this.
If you see an Ocean Sunfish, here's what you can do to help.
- Snap a picture and video (from the side, if possible) with date and time
- Take note of what the Sunfish was doing when you arrived. (Eg sunning itself, moving with purpose, inactive below the surface or Dead)
- Find your GPS coordinates (if you don't have GPS, WhatsApp's Current Location feature works)
- Take note of the environmental conditions (cloud cover, sea conditions, surface temperature, wind speed, etc)
Send anything you have to 076 092 8573 or sightings@aquariumfoundation.org.za or post it on iNaturalist.
Image of SUNFISH provided Leigh de Necker via Two Oceans Aquarium and Sunfish sighted by Raggy Charters 2nd Dec 2023
18 August 2024 Raggy Charters had a lovely sighting of a Sunfish near St Croix Island and then a second sighting near the Harbour.
So wonderful see these magnificent fish so close.
whatsapp_video_20240818_at_22.mp4
Thank you NSRI for this great news:
