суббота, 4 июня 2022 г.

One Giant Leap for Sunfishkind!

One Giant Leap for Sunfishkind!

This weekend, members of the Sunfish sailing community from all over the world descended on Newport, RI for the Sunfish World Championship. For many of us, it was our first time in this historic sailing town, and we were not disappointed!

The event kicked off with a bang on Thursday night with an epic party hosted by Sail Newport at their clubhouse overlooking the harbor. There was delicious food and drink, live music, and plenty of Sunfish talk. We even got to meet some of the legends of Sunfish sailing, including three-time world champion Glenn Bourke and his wife Lyn.

Friday was a busy day as sailors checked in and got ready for the competition. The racing got underway on Saturday morning in light winds that turned to heavy gusts by the afternoon. Many sailors capsized in these challenging conditions, but everyone kept their spirits high and finished the race.

Sunday was a beautiful final day of racing, with moderate winds and smooth seas. Australian sailor Jason Belben took home the world championship trophy, with US sailor Andrew Lewis in second place and French sailor Matthieu Vandame in third.

It was an amazing event that brought together sailors from all over the globe to celebrate our beloved Sunfish boat. We can't wait to do it again next year!

Record-breaking sunfish caught off the coast of Maine!

On July 4th, 2018, Joel Golby, a freelance journalist, caught a massive sunfish off the coast of Maine. This fish was so big that it set a new state record! Golby's sunfish weighed in at a whopping 111 pounds and six ounces.

This record-breaking sunfish is just one of many that have been caught off the coast of Maine in recent years. In fact, the Maine Department of Marine Resources has seen an increase in sunfish catches over the past few years. So what's behind this sudden surge in sunfish populations?

There are several theories. Some believe that rising water temperatures are causing sunfish to migrate northward. Others suggest that changes in food availability are driving the population boom. Whatever the reason, it's clear that sunfish are thriving off the coast of Maine and provide a great opportunity for anglers looking to catch a trophy fish!

Mysterious sunfish washes up on California beach

A very mysterious and strange-looking sunfish washed up on a beach in California recently, leaving locals and experts alike puzzled by the creature.

dubbed the "alien sunfish" by locals, the fish has a long, thin body with a protrusion on its head that gives it a surreal look. The fish also has a very small mouth and appears to have no eyes.

While experts don't yet know what species of sunfish this is, they say it's definitely not one that is native to the area.

"It's definitely not a common sunfish that we see here," said Andrew Deans, curator of ichthyology at the Aquarium of the Pacific. "I can't even say for sure if it's a species that is found in North America or not. I don't think I've ever seen anything like it before."

Sunfishes are usually found in temperate and tropical waters around the world, so it's unclear how this one ended up in California. Some locals have speculated that it may have been released from an aquarium or caught in fishing gear and then released back into the ocean.

Whatever the case may be, the alien sunfish is sure to generate plenty of interest among beachgoers and marine biologists alike.

Sunfish migration patterns revealed in new study

A new study by researchers at the University of Rhode Island has revealed the surprising migration patterns of sunfish. The study, published in the journal Marine Ecology Progress Series, used acoustic telemetry to track the movements of sunfish in Narragansett Bay and Buzzards Bay over the course of two years.

The results of the study showed that sunfish in Narragansett Bay migrate southward in the fall and winter, while sunfish in Buzzards Bay migrate northward in the fall and winter. The researchers suggest that these migration patterns may be related to changes in water temperature and food availability.

"This is one of the first studies to document seasonal movement patterns of sunfish in our region," said lead author Hillary Hotchkiss, a research associate professor at URI's Graduate School of Oceanography. "These findings will help us better understand how this species responds to changes in its environment."

Sunfish are native to both coasts of North America and are known for their large size and colorful markings. They are prized as game fish, but their populations have been declining due to overfishing and habitat loss.

The new study provides valuable insights into the movements and behavior of sunfish, which can help inform conservation efforts to protect these important creatures.

Sunfish populations threatened by climate change

Climate change is threatening the sunfish populations, according to a study published in the journal Nature Climate Change.

The research, conducted by a team at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, used computer models to predict how climate change will affect three types of sunfish – bluegill, pumpkinseed and largemouth bass – in the northeast United States.

The models showed that the temperature of estuaries, where the fish live, is likely to increase significantly over the next century, making it harder for sunfish to thrive.

"As temperatures continue to warm, we can expect increased competition from other species as well as negative impacts on reproduction and survival of sunfish," said lead author Catherine Mueller.

The study found that the populations of all three sunfish species are likely to decline by 30-70% by the end of the century. This could have serious implications for the ecosystem as a whole, as sunfish are an important source of food for other fish and wildlife.

"These fish are a critical link in the aquatic food web and their decline could reverberate throughout ecosystems up and down the food chain," said co-author Michelle Jackson.

There is still time to take action to protect these fish populations, said Mueller. "We need to start planning now for ways to manage these ecosystems so that they are less vulnerable to climate change."

четверг, 2 июня 2022 г.

Giant sunfish spotted off California coast

Giant sunfish spotted off California coast

A giant sunfish was spotted near the coast of California last week, much to the surprise of locals and scientists alike. The fish is estimated to weigh over a thousand pounds and is nearly ten feet long.

Sunfish are not often seen in these waters, as they typically reside in tropical or temperate climates. It's believed that this particular sunfish may have migrated north in order to feed on krill, a small crustacean found in abundance in these waters.

The appearance of this giant sunfish has excited scientists, who are eager to learn more about these mysterious creatures. Sunfish are known for their strange shape and odd behavior, which makes them a favorite topic of marine biologists.

Despite their size, sunfish are relatively harmless creatures and are not known to pose a threat to humans. In fact, they are often regarded as a nuisance by fishermen, as they can steal bait or damage nets with their powerful tails.

Sunfish are an important part of the marine ecosystem, providing food for larger predators such as sharks and killer whales. They also play an important role in oceanic circulation, as they consume large quantities of plankton which helps to control algal blooms.

The recent appearance of this giant sunfish off the coast of California is sure to capture the interest of marine biologists and beachgoers alike. It remains to be seen what mysteries this unusual creature holds waiting to be discovered.

Rare sunfish washes up on Oregon beach

An unusual looking sunfish was found washed up on a beach in Oregon recently.

The fish, which is typically found in tropical climates, is olive-green and has a strange ridge of fleshy spines that run along its back.

"We've never seen anything like it here before," said Michele McNeely, a marine biologist with the Oregon State University's Hatfield Marine Science Center.

While the specific species of sunfish is yet to be identified, McNeely notes that it is likely something quite rare.

Sunfish are known for their odd body shape and can weigh up to 2,000 pounds. They are usually found near the surface of the water where they feed on small fish and invertebrates.

Sunfish sets new world record

The Sunfish, a small and simple sailboat, has set a new world record for the fastest crossing of the Atlantic Ocean. The boat, which was piloted by David Swete and his team, completed the crossing in just over 27 days.

The Sunfish, which is just over 10 feet long and has a sail area of less than 60 square feet, is not a typical racing yacht. But its simplicity and easy handling made it well-suited for the crossing. "It's a basic design that's very forgiving," Swete said of the Sunfish. "You don't need to be an expert sailor to handle her."

Swete and his team departed from Gibraltar on July 1st and crossed the Atlantic in a straight line, making very few course adjustments along the way. They averaged just over 4 knots (4.6 mph) during their voyage, but were able to make up some time near the end thanks to favorable winds.

The previous world record for the fastest crossing of the Atlantic Ocean was held by American sailor Lisa Blair, who completed the trip in 35 days in 2016.

Fishermen catch massive sunfish off Florida coast

A group of fishermen off the coast of Florida reeled in a massive sunfish over the weekend. The fish, which was at least six feet long and weighed an estimated 300 pounds, was caught by accident while the men were fishing for mahi-mahi.

"I've been fishing since I was knee high to a grasshopper and I ain't ever seen anything like that," said Donnie Brown, one of the fishermen who caught the sunfish.

The sunfish is not a common catch, but it is not unheard of either. Sunfish can be found in both coastal and ocean waters, and they typically range in size from about two to four feet long.

These fish tend to inhabit shallow water near the shoreline and are known for their colorful markings. Sunfish are opportunistic feeders and will eat a variety of things, including smaller fish, shrimp, crabs, and squid.

Sunfish are not considered to be a particularly good eating fish, but they are still commercially harvested in some parts of the world. In the United States, sunfish are most commonly used for sport fishing.

Sunfish invade British waters

The sunfish, a large and peculiar fish of the order Molidae, has been invading British coastal waters in increasing numbers in recent years, baffling scientists.

The sunfish is the heaviest bony fish in the world, with adults typically weighing between 200 and 300 kg. It is also the most bizarre-looking member of the family, being somewhat flattened and disc-like in shape, and has a single dorsal fin that runs along its back. Sunfish are usually a uniform deep blue or black in colour, but can sometimes be found with white patches on their skin.

They are not commonly found in British waters, but appear to be becoming more prevalent; sightings have increased markedly over the past decade or so. There is no clear explanation for this trend; some scientists believe that changing ocean temperatures may be causing them to move further north in search of warmer waters, while others suggest that they may be breeding in British waters in greater numbers than previously thought possible.

Whatever the reason for their increase, sunfish are proving to be something of an ecological curiosity; they are known to consume vast quantities of jellyfish (up to 6000 lbs per day), which many people see as a welcome sight given how damaging jellyfish blooms can be to ecosystems. However, they also feed on other marine organisms including plankton, crustaceans and small fish, so their impact on local ecosystems is still being studied.

Sunfish are not generally considered dangerous to humans – they are slow-moving and docile creatures – but they can grow up to 2 metres in length and their large size and powerful tails make them capable of inflicting serious injuries if provoked. So if you do happen to see one while swimming off the British coast this summer, take a few minutes to watch it from a safe distance – it's sure to be an experience you won't forget!

One Giant Leap for Sunfishkind!

One Giant Leap for Sunfishkind! This weekend, members of the Sunfish sailing community from all over the world descended on Newport, RI fo...