Sun Fish

[WoodyP]

Sailing in the Wash yesterday I came across a sun fish flapping on the surface. It was the first I have ever seen, and wonder how much of a rarity it is especially in the north sea? It was not very big, about 15 inches across, which is well short of its normal size. I would post pictures but for some reason my phone won't download them at the moment.
G.

 

[FistralG]

They seem to be surprisingly common in the channel, I saw loads the last time I went across.

i can't comment on the North Sea as I've never sailed there.

 

[Robin B]

Several reports of sun fish on the East coast. I'd love to see one in the flesh.

http://www.edp24.co.uk/news/rare_sunfish_found_washed_up_on_happisburgh_beach_1_3068135
http://www.edp24.co.uk/news/photo_g...nfish_washed_up_on_overstrand_beach_1_1737384
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...pite-valiant-attempts-fisherman-save-her.html

 

[Hadenough]

Saw a big one years ago, 1996ish, in the Sound of Harris, never since.

 

[bert49uk]

Fairly common here in Bristol Channel

 

[WoodyP]

I should have googled, but thanks for your personal experiences, which is what I was after. It was a great day, with prolonged sighting of porpoise, hundreds of seal on Long Sand, huge flocks of waders, and a private air show going into Holbeach range (pardon, I'm a bit deaf today). The photo quality was rubbish, so not worth posting.

 

[johnalison]

I've spent the last few weeks in the channel. I've seen dolphins and a couple of non-basking sharks but have totally failed in the sunfish department.

 

[Birdseye]

Sailing in the Wash yesterday I came across a sun fish flapping on the surface. It was the first I have ever seen, and wonder how much of a rarity it is especially in the north sea? It was not very big, about 15 inches across, which is well short of its normal size. I would post pictures but for some reason my phone won't download them at the moment.
G.

Odd. I saw my first one in 20 odd years of sailing last week, just off Falmouth. At the rate is was moving it cannot possibly have got to the east coast so they cant be that rare. MMGW?

 

[KevO]

Saw 3 or 4 last season and half a dozen so far this... all between Falmouth and the Dodman.

 

[ripvan1]

Saw one off Bayona 2000 and one off Padstow 2004 - neither time had camera with me. I think there was an outfit that asked sights to be reported but don't know details or if still around.

 

[Coaster]

One juvenile seen on Saturday last, near the West Rutts about 5 miles south of Plymouth. We stopped and it spent a few minutes swimming around the boat and watching us. It was about 1m long and perhaps threequarters of that in depth, excluding the fins.

We've also seen a few between Pembrokeshire and Ireland.

 

[Grumpybear]

We saw one on Sunday, in the anchorage close inshore off Pier Cellars in Cawsand Bay. Quite a surprise.

 

[trapezeartist]

Fairly common here in Bristol Channel

I never knew that! Not seen one here, though we saw them most weekends when dinghy sailing in Spain. Usually preceded by strong fishy smell.