Whale watchers in N.B. delight in seeing huge sunfish
A rare sighting of an ocean sunfish swimming in the Bay of Fundy was recently captured on camera during a whale-watching expedition around the area of Campobello Island.
A senior marine biologist with Island Quest Marine Whale and Wildlife Cruises in St. Andrews, N.B., says that one eagle-eyed guest aboard the board spotted a fin during the trip and they went to investigate.
“We headed over to the area, and the fish which we thought possibly at first was a shark, dove, so we sat for a couple of minutes waiting,” says Nicole Leavitt-Kennedy, “and something came up that was quite interesting, maybe more interesting than a shark, and that was an ocean sunfish.”
The ocean sunfish, also known as a mola, is often mistaken for a shark because of its large dorsal fin.
In fact, it’s the largest bony fish in the ocean and gets its name from its habit of floating on its side at the surface of the water – appearing to sunbathe.
“Their main source of food especially here in the Bay of Fundy is jellyfish, so if you can imagine feeding on jelly as your main diet, and then being able to grow up to 1,000 kilograms it’s quite amazing,” says Leavitt-Kennedy.
Although ocean sunfish have been documented in the Bay of Fundy – and Leavitt-Kennedy says one is usually spotted about once a year – they’re not something you see every day.
Marine biologist Steve Turnbull of the University of New Brunswick’s Saint John campus, says he’s seen less than a handful in his career, including one extremely memorable encounter swimming with one in the Campobello area.
“It was really curious,” says Turnbull, “as much as I was about him or her. It would swim up to me, literally about the same distance as I am to the camera and stare right at me, turn around and swim a little ways away.”
Sightings that serve as a reminder that you never know what you might see when sailing the Bay of Fundy, as Leavitt-Kennedy can attest to.
“It’s always a surprise. We see sometimes new creatures or unexpected creatures so it can be an amazing thing,” she said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Air Canada walks back new seat selection policy change after backlash
Air Canada has paused a new seat selection fee for travellers booked on the lowest fares just days after implementing it.
Province boots mayor and council in small northern Ont. town out of office
An ongoing municipal strike, court battles and revolt by half of council has prompted the province to oust the mayor and council in Black River-Matheson.
3 law officers serving warrant are killed, 5 wounded in shootout at North Carolina home, police say
Three officers on a U.S. Marshals Task Force serving a warrant for a felon wanted for possessing a firearm were killed and five other officers were wounded in a shootout Monday at a North Carolina home, police said.
'Shocked and concerned': Calgary principal charged with possession of child pornography
A Calgary elementary school principal has been charged with possession of child pornography, authorities announced Monday.
Health authority confirms cockroaches at B.C. hospital, insists they 'do not bite'
The Vancouver Island Health Authority is downplaying what staff describe as a cockroach infestation in a medical unit of Saanich Peninsula Hospital.
Toronto police arrest 12 people, lay 102 charges in major credit card fraud scheme
Toronto police say 12 people are facing a combined 102 charges in connection with an investigation into a major credit fraud scheme.
Winner of US$1.3 billion Powerball jackpot is an immigrant from Laos who has cancer
One of the winners of a historic US$1.3 billion Powerball jackpot last month is an immigrant from Laos who has had cancer for eight years and had his latest chemotherapy treatment last week.
Britney and Jamie Spears settlement avoids long, potentially ugly and revealing trial
Britney Spears and her father Jamie Spears will avoid what could have been a long, ugly and revealing trial with a settlement of the lingering issues in the court conservatorship that controlled her life and financial decisions for nearly 14 years.
WATCH 'Double whammy': What happens if you don't file your taxes by the deadline
The clock is ticking ahead of the deadline to file a 2023 income tax return. A personal finance expert explains why you should get them done -- even if you owe more than you can pay.