The Two Oceans Aquarium team began the new year by rescuing their largest sunfish yet, a one-ton fish trapped at Cape Town’s Sturrock Dry Dock.
Martine Viljoen, marine wildlife manager, said yesterday (Friday 9 January) they responded to a call on Thursday 1 January.
“This was a striking reminder of the incredible size these animals grow to, and a powerful way to start the New Year through collective teamwork in support of our marine wildlife rescue efforts.”
Guiding and lifting a one-ton sunfish out of a dry dock is a significant undertaking.
Its success relied on quick response, teamwork, and expertise from crane operation to wildlife rescue.
Once the sighting was confirmed, the dock drainage was halted to ensure sufficient water remained for the sunfish overnight, allowing Viljoen’s team to safely respond the following morning.
It quickly became clear that this was an exceptionally large animal, measuring 2.32m in length and 2.5m from fin tip to fin tip.
“Due to the sheer size of the sunfish, we had to construct a custom rescue stretcher platform on site, utilising wooden pallets, scaffolding, chains, and other available materials,” explained Viljoen.
This was done in collaboration with the dry dock team, whose extensive experience proved invaluable towards constructing the platform.
Viljoen expressed his gratitude to the Teemane Cranes, who generously donated the use of their crane.
He explained that the rescue platform was lowered into the dry dock by crane, allowing the Aquarium team to guide the sunfish onto it. The sunfish was lifted out of the dry dock and lowered back into the water on the other side of the caisson (dry dock door).
Throughout the process, the sunfish’s breathing was monitored and the team ensured water was moving across its gills.
Following the sunfish’s flight and re-entry to water, the Aquarium team entered the water to untie the restraints securing the sunfish.
They then swam alongside the sunfish as they guided it towards deeper water.
“I would like to acknowledge dock master Johan Coetzee and the dry dock team for alerting us to the sunfish’s presence during dock drainage and for facilitating an effective rescue effort,” said Viljoen.
Claire Taylor, interactive exhibits and marine animal welfare specialist for the Two Oceans Aquarium, said during storms or rough conditions, sunfish may seek calmer waters, which can result in them becoming disoriented or trapped in harbour basins.
Every summer this occurs at the Waterfront and Simonstown harbours. They start appearing in October/November and are often sighted right through to May/June the following year.
“We always respond to these calls and try to assist where possible,” said The Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation is actively involved in sunfish rescue, research, and citizen science, working to track sightings to improve understanding of species distribution along the coastline.
If a sunfish is seen in a harbour or along the coast, the public can report sightings with date, location (GPS if possible), and photos via: WhatsApp 076 092 8573
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