Huge Fish Washes Ashore

Florida Fish and Wildlife biologists studied from the shores of St. Augustine Beach Wednesday to determine what may have killed a large sharp-tailed mola, otherwise known as an oceanic sunfish.

The 9-foot long, close to 500-pound fish washed up on St. Augustine Beach near A Street around 8 a.m. Wednesday morning, said St. Johns County Natural Resource Deputy Bo Strange.

"We got the call early in the morning about a possible small whale that beached itself," Strange said. "When we got there we saw it was a big fish -- a pretty thick sunfish, to be exact."

The fish was alive when deputies and FWC officials arrived, but died in the sand later in the day, Strange said.

The fish is unusual looking because it has two huge fins on the top and bottom of its body as well as small fins on its side. The fish can live to be 100 years old.

Biologists found parasite and worm infestations inside the fish's muscular tissues and liver, but the exact cause of death is unclear at this time. Biologists sent samples to a laboratory after a full necropsy was completed. Then the remains were buried on the beach.

This isn't the first sunfish to wash up on East Coast beaches. Two other sunfish were found in Volusia County beaches just days ago, Strange said. Parasites were also found in those fish, but biologists aren't sure if the cases are connected, he said.

"These fish are common in our waters, but you don't normally see them from the beach," Strange said. "They're usually in deeper waters."

Strange said this is the first sunfish seen on St. Johns County beaches this year. However, he did remember a sunfish washing up last year.

ABOUT THE OCEANIC SUNFISH
There are three common types of oceanic sunfish: the mola mola or common mola, the slender mola and the sharp-tailed mola, like the one that washed up Wednesday on St. Augustine Beach. The sharp-tailed mola has the most pointed tail of the three types. It is typically silvery in color with an opalescent sheen. Their bodies are made up of a large head with long sweeping fins and tail. Their bodies are less than twice as long as it is deep.

They can also reach great sizes. The common mola holds the world record for the heaviest boney fish, at 10-feet long and 4,927 pounds. Unlike other mola types, the sharp-tailed mola are deep swimmers and spend less time "sunbathing" in shallow waters. They also carry a lighter parasite load. The common mola is known for a large parasite load and are have been recorded carrying up to 40 different types of parasites.
Beside human interference like fishing, parasite infestations are a common cause of death.

St Augustine Beach Opens!

Starting March 1, driving on the beach will set you back some clams. Beach season officially starts next Tuesday, which means the county will be setting up toll booths and selling beach passes.

Up until March 1, pre-season passes are on sale at the St. Johns County Tax Collector's Office, the St. Augustine Beach Pier and the county's Recreation and Parks office.

An annual pass costs $30 for St. Johns County residents and $40 for non-residents. Those prices will go up to $40 for residents and $50 for visitors on March 2.

County officials also will be patrolling the beach to make sure people obey the rules.

"We want to make sure people maintain a safe speed, which is 10 mph and stay within the driving lane, which is marked by cones and remember that they're not alone out here," said Billy Zeits, St. Johns County beach manager. 

Day passes are available an annual pass, you can purchase day passes to drive on the beach. Those cost $6 for residents and $7 for non-residents.

For the first time, the county will sell three-day passes at $15 for St. Johns residents and $18 for people who do not live in the county. They will also offer handicap passes for $30.