Occurrence of ocean sunfish, Mola mola near fronts in the western English Channel

D.W. Sims; E.J. Southall

doi:10.1017/S0025315402006409

Abstract

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Surface occurrence of ocean sunfish (Mola mola) was recorded during summer (May–September) in the western English Channel off Plymouth over a six-year period between 1995 and 2001. Fifteen individuals of between 0.5–0.7 m estimated total length were sighted during 1651 hours of observation. Nearly all sightings (93%) occurred in June and July in water between 13 and 17°C. Sunfish were mostly associated with frontal and stratified water masses (86%) rather than in cooler, mixed water.

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Occurrence of ocean sunfish, Mola mola near fronts in the western English Channel

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