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

Abstract

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 individuais 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.