Exploring new ways of non-invasively investigating molas - August 25, 2008

We're currently exploring whether or not an exciting new technique for identifying individual whale sharks using NASA methodology for identifying star patterning can also be applied to mola populations--particularly those extra-spotted ones. First stop Galapagos. For more information about this technique see National Geographic News http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2008/08/080825-whale-sharks-missions_2.html

Check out Toshiyuki Nakatsubosan’s doctoral dissertation summary on the reproductive biology of the Mola mola that we recently posted in the References section under Spawning and Migration.

Slender mola sighted in South Africa - April 11 2008
A specimen from the most elusive genus of sunfish, Ranzania, was spotted April 11th 2008 off the Atlantic coast of South Africa on the Cape Peninsula at Scarborough Beach. Jules de Combs spotted the wondrous slender mola, Ranzania laevis and sent in a sighting and some photos. These sunfishes described by Pennant in 1776 are rather diminutive as far as molas go--growing no more than about 100 cm. They are capable of great speeds however and have been caught by fishermen in Hawaii who were trolling for skipjack tuna. For accounts of Ranzania in South African waters, see Heemstra, P.C., 1986. Molidae. p. 907-908. In M.M. Smith and P.C. Heemstra (eds.) Smiths' sea fishes. Springer-Verlag, Berlin. We are collecting genetic tissues of these animals for populations analyses so if you ever come across freshly dead ones, take a small sample freeze it and contact us.

Dissertation - March 3 2008
A big congratulations goes out to our Japanese collaborator Toshiyuki Nakatsubosan who just received his doctorate in Bioresource Science from Nihon University!! The title of his dissertation is: A study on the reproductive biology of ocean sunfish Mola mola. His papers can be found in the References section. Bravo Dr. Nakatsubosan. Well done!

Aquarium's sunfish put down - February 14, 2008 - Laitha agha, Monterey County Herald
The very large sunfish in the Outer Bay tank of the Monterey Bay Aquarium is no more. After a week of lethargy the sunfish was euthanized on Thursday-Feb 14 2008 and now truly swims with the fishes.

New sunfish species sighted in the Galapagos - February 3, 2008
A strange new underwater visitor has arrived in the Galapagos Islands. On Feb 3rd, during a National Geographic/Lindblad Expedition, the eagle-eyed crew from the National Geographic Polaris) spotted something bizarre in the waters off Espanola...
Video: http://www.expeditions.com/Theater17.asp?Media=561

RESTAURANT REVIEW Sankokuighi - Taipei Times - February 1, 2008
Mola and other interesting items on the menu

Mola released from the Monterey Aquarium January 23 2008
Early this morning just after sunrise, the Monterey Bay Aquarium released the smaller of its two ocean sunfish from the Outer Bay Tank. . The mola weighed 289.6 kg (638.46 lbs) and was 1.7 m (5.7 ft) in length. This mola was brought to the Aquarium in November 2006 and measured just 80 cm (31 in) long and weighed 25.4 kg (56 lbs). Its general good health and increasing size, combined with agreeable water temperatures and recent sightings of other ocean sunfish in the Bay made for suitable release conditions. The mola team acclimated the ocean sunfish to cooler temperatures before its release, and then attached a satellite archival tag behind its dorsal fin. The tag is programmed to allow data transmission when the mola comes to the surface and then pop off in 30 days. Data from the tag will contribute to the growing body of exciting research on Mola mola in California waters. The very large sunfish still remaining in the Outer Bay Tank, whose weight is estimated to be in excess of 500kg (1000lbs), will remain on exhibit as an ambassador for its species as it has done since November 2005.

Letter from the West Coast by Michael Viney, British Wildlife, Oct 2007

Mola mola: Family encounters ocean oddity by Jennifer Mann, Scituate Mariner and Patriot Ledger (Scituate, MA) Wed Sep 05, 2007

Pembroke family catches an ocean oddity on camera (Video in story) by Jennifer Mann , The Patriot Ledger Tues
Sep 04, 2007

Giant Sunfish Satellite Tagged For First Time In Irish & UK Waters Irish Marine Institute Aug 29, 2007