by InTrieste
In a stunning encounter just off Trieste’s, a massive sunfish, nearly 2 meters long and estimated to weigh around 200 kilograms, emerged near the small bay of Canovella degli Zoppoli. It was spotted Thursday by researchers from the Miramare Marine Protected Area, who were on a routine avian monitoring expedition.
The sighting sparked awe among the researchers, who described it as an encounter “that fills us with emotion and wonder.” Though Mola mola—the sunfish’s scientific name—is found globally and commonly inhabits the Mediterranean, its rare appearance in the Adriatic has become a source of both scientific intrigue and public fascination.
“It’s always striking to see these creatures in our waters,” said a spokesperson for the Miramare Marine Area in a statement on social media. “The sunfish is the largest and heaviest bony fish in the sea, and its distinctive shape, which resembles a flattened disc, makes it impossible to mistake.”
A Marine Mystery with a Bright Blue Clue
Adding to the researchers’ interest was an unexpected detail: the sunfish’s dorsal fin appeared streaked with a bright, unnatural blue. Researchers believe the fish may have brushed against the keel of a boat, picking up some antifouling paint—a compound designed to deter the growth of marine organisms on ship hulls. Though the paint seemed harmless to the fish, the unusual coloration provided an unmistakable mark in the second photograph taken of the sunfish from above, showing the dramatic contrast between the creature’s natural hues and the artificial blue stain.
Sunbathers of the Sea
Sunfish are often seen basking near the surface, which is how the creature earned its common name. By exposing one side of their body to the sun’s warmth, they not only regulate their body temperature but also create an opportunity for sea birds to rid them of pesky parasites.
While they may appear docile, sunfish are voracious eaters, mainly of jellyfish, salps, and ctenophores. Recently, the warmer-than-usual autumn temperatures in the Adriatic have triggered an unusual jellyfish bloom—typically a springtime event—that is likely responsible for the sunfish’s approach to coastal waters, where food was unusually abundant.
“A sea dense with jellyfish is an irresistible attraction for these fish,” noted the Miramare spokesperson.
The Sunfish’s Role in Ocean Health
Though elusive, sunfish play a significant role in marine ecosystems, especially in controlling populations of jellyfish and other gelatinous creatures. Researchers are hopeful that encounters like this one, however infrequent, can inspire further study into the habits and migrations of this mysterious species.
For now, the brief but captivating presence of the sunfish in the Gulf of Trieste serves as a vivid reminder of the Adriatic’s rich and largely unseen underwater life—along with the occasional brush with civilization that leaves its own small, blue mark on the wildlife we share the seas with.
