Sunfish Sighting at Santa Cruz’s Cowell Beach

SOURCE www.sfgate.com
Surfers at Santa Cruz’s Cowell Beach encountered a sunfish, the world’s largest bony fish, which is common in the area and primarily forages for jellyfish. The sighting drew surprise and awe on social media, and the sunfish plays a vital role in the ocean food web.

Key Points

  • Sunfish are the world’s largest bony fish, with the largest species weighing over 6,000 pounds and stretching more than 10 feet long.
  • Sunfish play a vital role in the ocean food web, particularly when they grow larger than one meter in length.
  • The sighting of sunfish at Cowell Beach suggests a healthy marine ecosystem.

Pros

  • Sunfish are docile and primarily forage for jellyfish.
  • The sighting of the sunfish drew enthusiastic responses on social media.
  • The presence of sunfish in the area indicates a healthy marine ecosystem.

Cons

  • Surfers may initially find sunfish strange and intimidating due to their appearance.