September 18, 2012 Necropsy of an Ocean Sunfish

-
Ocean sunfish carcass at Little Buttermilk Bay, Buzzards Bay

On September 17, 2012 the National Marine Life Center (NMLC) in Bourne called us about a live ocean sunfish in Little Buttermilk Bay which is part of  Buzzards Bay. NMLC staff member Kate headed over to that are to check on this fish and she contacted us about this presence of this fish in this area. 

Kate walking out to the dead ocean sunfish. 
Kate was able to locate this ocean sunfish and it appeared to be in good shape as it was swimming in Little Buttermilk Bay.  However, later that afternoon and as the tide was going out, the fish stranded and died. Kate returned and headed out on the mud flats to examine the ocean sunfish more closely. Kate then made another call to NECWA to update us on the status of this animal. 

Foster, Tiffany, Michael and Belinda. 

Michael setting up the portable weighing tripod.
NECWA staff members were able to respond to this stranding the next day. Krill, Belinda, Michael and Tiffany all met Kate back at Little Buttermilk Bay late on Tuesday afternoon. Belinda's children, Foster and Merrick, also assisted with this necropsy and boy were we glad to have the extra pair of hands.

Tiffany putting the straps under the sunfish. 
Belinda in her field biologist garb!
Tiffany wearing her whites!
The first thing we had to do was to move the carcass off the mud flats. That took 4 of us as we placed the carcass under a matt and dragged it to the marsh grass area where it would be easier to weigh and necropsy the carcass.  

Merrick and Foster helping with the tripod. 
Foster helping to weigh the carcass. 
Weighing the ocean sunfish. 
Michael set-up our portable weighing tripod while Tiffany placed the straps under the carcass.Foster took over from there and used the chain lift to lift the carcass off the grouns. This carcass weighed in at 276 pounds which is light for most of the ocean sunfish that we have examined over the years.

Reading the carcass weight on the electronic crane scale. 
Foster using the chain lift to lower the carcass. 
Our next job was to collect external photographs of the carcass and a series of body measurements. Tiffany and Michael worked together to measure the different body parts including the dorsal fin, anal fin, body length and girth and other features.

Tiffany taking measurements. Metric!

Michael and Tiffany collecting body measurements as Foster looks on.
Merrick did a great job at recording the information being collected and writing it all down on the data sheet.
But that mud was getting everywhere, even on the data recorder!

Merrick collecting data. 
Michael and Tiffany measuring. 
This team worked hard all the way up to sunset. Then it was time to put away the gear and collect all our samples and supplies. Much thanks to everyone who helped out

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Electric Torpedo Ray of New England

-
Image
The Shocking Ray of New England Blog by  Coleman Earner - December 21, 2020 Dead Torpedo Ray in Brewster, MA Torpedo Rays are a genus of rays that are part of the Order  Torpediniformes (electric rays). In reference to local sightings, the most commonly seen torpedo ray in the Cape Cod region is the Atlantic Torpedo ( Torpedo nobiliana ). They are cartilaginous fish (most similar to the structure of sharks and skates) with a flat and rounded disc-like structure. As suggested by their order, torpedo rays are most commonly known for their ability to discharge electricity of up to 220 volts from both pectoral fins (pectoral fins are flat and expanded and fused to the head area) as a self defense mechanism or as a means of capturing prey. Their feeding strategy consists of burying themselves under the sand and waiting for unsuspecting prey to wander by.  Dead Torpedo Ray on a Cape Cod Beach. Torpedo Rays feed mainly on benthic/pelagic fish such as flounders, damselfish, and other small fis
Read more

Ocean sunfish stranding at Linnell Landing - October 9, 2010

-
Image
This afternoon, Chris called about an ocean sunfish that stranded dead at the end of Linnell Landing in Brewster, MA. Krill Carson along with two NECWA interns, Nick Schomburg and Caitlyn Dionne, headed down or met at Linnell Landing in the late afternoon. When they arrived on the shores of Cape Cod Bay, a crowd was gathering around the ocean sunfish carcass that was just off the beach parking lot. This sunfish was almost 6 feet in length and some of the beachgoers indicated that it had come up on the beach around 2 pm that day. At first, it was difficult to look at the deep propellor scars that cut through the dorsal (top) surface of the sunfish and extended into its left flank. But sunset was quickly approaching so this team focused at the task at hand, that was collecting body measurements as well as tissues from this carcass. Nick and Krill conducted a Level A exam on the carcass and Caitlyn took pictures as well as recorded data. Krill was able to determine that this animal was
Read more

September 21, 2013 - Successful Beach Cleanup at Scusset Beach State Reservation

-
Image
NECWA staff members Leah, Jane, Mary and Tammy. Squid egg cases.  Beach Cleanup at Scusset Beach We had a very successful beach cleanup this morning down at Scusset Beach State Reservation. Over 20 people joined us to help pick up the beach trash along the shores of Scusset Beach, a beautiful sandy beach at the mouth of the Cape Cod Canal. Joining us for this events were students from Bourne High School and Mass Maritime Academy as well as member of the general public. Kids young and old helped NECWA staff and interns pick up and record the type of marine debris that washed up on the beach.  Mass Maritime making a difference.  Mass Maritime students helping out.  This beach cleanup is part of a larger effort through COASTSWEEP, the Massachusetts-wide coastal cleanup that occurs during September and October. And our beach cleanup at Scusset Beach is in conjunction with the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), Captain John Boats and Plymouth Whale W
Read more