Ocean Sunfish Stranding, Cole Road Beach, Eastham on Dec. 03, 2010

-

Today, Krill and Tammy (one of our NECWA interns) met Steve down at Cole Road Beach in Eastham to find an ocean sunfish carcass that Steve had recently reported to NEBShark (New England Basking Shark Project at www.nebshark.org). This season, NECWA staff and interns have responded to over 20 reports of dead ocean sunfish that have stranded on Cape Cod beaches. Although we haven't been able to find every carcass that was reported, we have documented each sighting in our database.


Assisting with ocean sunfish Level A (external exam) and necropsy (internal exam) activities is a great learning experience for Tammy and the many other NECWA interns who are involved in this research project. This was Tammy's second ocean sunfish stranding and she was able to conduct most of the Level A examination (photo-documentation and body measuring) as well as assist Krill with the necropsy.


This ocean sunfish did not have a thick layer of reticulated collagen under the skin. The thickness of this tissue may directly relate to the overall health of the animal. Tammy and Krill were able to sex this animal which turned out to be a small male. Right now, it is close to a 50/50 ratio between female ocean sunfish and males.


Although this fish appeared healthy, its death is a reminder that this species has a difficult time dealing with cold water temperatures. Ocean sunfish are a warm water species that migrates into our productive waters to feed on jellyfish, ctenophores and other gelatinous critters. In the fall, many sunfish stay in our area too long, possibly fooled by the warmer waters of Cape Cod Bay. Or they may become trapped in the inner elbow of the Cape finding it impossible to navigate south.


We thank Steve for reporting this carcass to us and for keeping track of it for a number of days until we could get down to the Eastham area. We rely very heavily on Cape residents who walk the beaches on a regular basis. They become our eyes and ears and they allow us to respond to a large number of ocean sunfish strandings each season.

Thanks again Steve and all our supporters. Your efforts are helping NECWA collect the largest database on ocean sunfish in the northwestern Atlantic.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Electric Torpedo Ray of New England

-
Image
The Shocking Ray of New England Blog by  Coleman Earner - December 21, 2020 Dead Torpedo Ray in Brewster, MA Torpedo Rays are a genus of rays that are part of the Order  Torpediniformes (electric rays). In reference to local sightings, the most commonly seen torpedo ray in the Cape Cod region is the Atlantic Torpedo ( Torpedo nobiliana ). They are cartilaginous fish (most similar to the structure of sharks and skates) with a flat and rounded disc-like structure. As suggested by their order, torpedo rays are most commonly known for their ability to discharge electricity of up to 220 volts from both pectoral fins (pectoral fins are flat and expanded and fused to the head area) as a self defense mechanism or as a means of capturing prey. Their feeding strategy consists of burying themselves under the sand and waiting for unsuspecting prey to wander by.  Dead Torpedo Ray on a Cape Cod Beach. Torpedo Rays feed mainly on benthic/pelagic fish such as flounders, damselfish, and other small fis
Read more

Ocean sunfish stranding at Linnell Landing - October 9, 2010

-
Image
This afternoon, Chris called about an ocean sunfish that stranded dead at the end of Linnell Landing in Brewster, MA. Krill Carson along with two NECWA interns, Nick Schomburg and Caitlyn Dionne, headed down or met at Linnell Landing in the late afternoon. When they arrived on the shores of Cape Cod Bay, a crowd was gathering around the ocean sunfish carcass that was just off the beach parking lot. This sunfish was almost 6 feet in length and some of the beachgoers indicated that it had come up on the beach around 2 pm that day. At first, it was difficult to look at the deep propellor scars that cut through the dorsal (top) surface of the sunfish and extended into its left flank. But sunset was quickly approaching so this team focused at the task at hand, that was collecting body measurements as well as tissues from this carcass. Nick and Krill conducted a Level A exam on the carcass and Caitlyn took pictures as well as recorded data. Krill was able to determine that this animal was
Read more

September 21, 2013 - Successful Beach Cleanup at Scusset Beach State Reservation

-
Image
NECWA staff members Leah, Jane, Mary and Tammy. Squid egg cases.  Beach Cleanup at Scusset Beach We had a very successful beach cleanup this morning down at Scusset Beach State Reservation. Over 20 people joined us to help pick up the beach trash along the shores of Scusset Beach, a beautiful sandy beach at the mouth of the Cape Cod Canal. Joining us for this events were students from Bourne High School and Mass Maritime Academy as well as member of the general public. Kids young and old helped NECWA staff and interns pick up and record the type of marine debris that washed up on the beach.  Mass Maritime making a difference.  Mass Maritime students helping out.  This beach cleanup is part of a larger effort through COASTSWEEP, the Massachusetts-wide coastal cleanup that occurs during September and October. And our beach cleanup at Scusset Beach is in conjunction with the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), Captain John Boats and Plymouth Whale W
Read more