NECWA News Blog

Ocean Sunfish Necropsy on Sandy Neck, Barnstable MA. Written by Michael O'Neill and Krill Carson On Friday, December 23rd, a fresh ocean sunfish carcass washed up on Sandy Neck Beach in Barnstable MA. NECWA was notified of this carcass a few days later and a team of volunteers headed down to the Cape Cod on Tuesday, December 27th. Our goal was to try and relocate and necropsy this animal. If we were successful, this would be the latest date for any fresh carcass to wash ashore. The NECWA team included Tammy, Patty, Nick, Michael and Krill. When we arrived at the gatehouse at Sandy Neck Beach Park ( click here for website ) we met Ranger Matthew and Ranger Nina. Both were super helpful in learning more about this carcass and its location on the beach. Ranger Matthew offered to drive us and all our gear to the site of the carcass and assist if needed during the examinations. We really appreciated that offer since we were not familiar with this barrier beach area that includes over 4

Click HERE to learn what NECWA accomplished in 2011. HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM ALL OF US AT NECWA! We wish you a merry Christmas and a happy New Year!

December 10, 2011 Yesterday, Zack and Jamie helped Krill find a decomposed ocean sunfish that had washed up on the shores of Loagy Bay in Wellfleet MA. Thanks guys for helping locate this carcass that was originally reported to NECWA by Kirsten, a Wellfleet resident. Over the past few weeks, NECWA has not received any reports of fresh ocean sunfish carcasses on the beaches of Cape Cod. We are very glad about this for it signals the probable end of the ocean sunfish stranding season for 2011. But please continue to look for carcasses. Last year, our last fresh carcasses stranded on Mant's beach in Brewster on December 5th. And with this unseasonably warm weather, you just never know. Thanks to Kirsten from Wellfleet for the original report of this carcass. Although this carcass was far too decomposed to necropsy, every carcass is vital to our understanding of this amazing species. So keep sending NECWA your reports. Go to the NEBShark website at www.nebshark.org and send in your si

This week, our very own Nicholas Schomburg was awarded a $100 gift certificate to Dick’s Sporting Goods in Colony Place, Plymouth. Nicholas has interned with the New England Coastal Wildlife Alliance (NECWA) since the summer of 2009 and is currently a senior at Plymouth South High School. The gift certificate was part of a larger program known as “$100 for 100”, which was sponsored by Joyal Capital Management, Dunkin Donuts, The Pacific Life Foundation/Insurance, First American Insurance, Heidrea, and The Bulfinch Group. Nicholas was nominated for this reward based on his academic achievement and extracurricular activities associated with NECWA. As a NECWA intern, Nicholas has been involved in a variety of projects and programs related to research, education and conservation in the field of marine biology. He has acted as a Research Assistant and Naturalist aboard Captain John Boats, operating out of Plymouth Harbor. Nicholas has participated in necropsies of ocean sunfish, seals and

Hot off the press and just arrived! Our new Key Tag for ocean sunfish and sea turtle strandings on Cape Cod. NECWA and MA Audubon at Wellfleet Bay have partnered on a key tag for beachwalkers. The front has information for beachwalkers who come upon a stranded sea turtle and the back has information on ocean sunfish. What a great way to keep important numbers with you as you walk local beaches. If you would like one, send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to NECWA at 11 Clarence Soule Drive, Middleboro, MA 02346.

Holiday Gift Idea from NECWA Marine Wildlife Adoptions for that Someone Special! Need a unique gift for that someone special this holiday season? Then consider adopting a humpback whale, great white shark, gray seal, Atlantic white-sided dolphin or any of our adoption animals. Click HERE to learn more about NECWA's Marine Wildlife Adoption program.

On Saturday, November 5, 2011, Northbrook Academy parents and students helped staff from the New England Coastal Wildlife Alliance (NECWA) examine a dead ocean sunfish that stranded on the shores of Monument Beach. This carcass was recently reported to NECWA’s Ocean Sunfish Stranding Network and the carcass looked as if it was only a few days old. This ocean fish carcass was missing the majority of its dorsal fin. Since the cut completely severed the top of the dorsal fin, we assume that the injury was the result of a collision with a large vessel. The tissue at the site of the injury was raw and red, indicating that the injury was relatively recent. Ocean sunfish are the heaviest bony fish in the world and are common visitors to our New England waters, during the summer and fall. These large fish migrate great distances to feed in our cold waters on jellyfish, ctenophores and other gelatinous critters. As winter approaches, ocean sunfish begin their migrations south to spend their win