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."