First stranded sunfish recorded on Isle of Man

An ocean sunfish has been found dead on a beach in what is believed to be the first stranding of its kind recorded on the Isle of Man.

The fish, which can grow to more than 3m (10ft) long and weigh more than a tonne, was found washed up on the shore, according to Manx Wildlife Trust.

Sunfish are rare visitors to Manx waters, although the trust said two or three had been seen around the island this year, which was "atypical".

Marine officer Dr Lara Howe said unusually warm summer conditions may have contributed to the fish remaining in Manx waters so late in the year.

Dr Howe said sunfish are typically associated with warmer waters and are usually seen around the UK between June and September.

She said sightings of sunfish in Manx waters were so rare that it was difficult to tell whether numbers were increasing, but those recorded appeared to "remain low but stable".

"It has been an unusual year from a weather perspective and we have seen this reflected more broadly in our wildlife observations," she said.

Basking shark numbers were higher than usual this year and huge swarms of jellyfish were recorded off the island's north-west coast.

The ocean sunfish can grow to more than 3m (10ft) long and weigh more than a tonne.

With no proper tail, and just a stiff fringe of skin it uses as a rudder, the Manx Wildlife Trust describes it as looking "pretty much like a giant swimming head".

It gets its English name from its habit of lying on its side at the surface, thought to help it warm up after diving into colder water to feed on jellyfish.

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