The largest and heaviest sunfish rescue recently took place in Cape Town. Various rescue teams came to lend a hand after being informed that an enormous sunfish, weighing approximately one ton, had been trapped in Sturrock Dock at the Port of Cape Town at the beginning of the year.
“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 Martine Viljoen, Marine Wildlife Manager.
The largest and heaviest sunfish rescue in Cape Town
At the forefront of the rescue mission was the Two Oceans Aquarium team. Its Marine Wildlife team, based at the V&A Waterfront, was contacted on January 1 to help guide and lift a one-ton sunfish out of a dry dock. This was not going to be an easy operation and would need various teams to assist.
Biggest sunfish rescue to date
According to a media statement, the rescue was done in close collaboration with the dry dock team. Their extensive experience proved invaluable towards constructing the platform. It further reads that this rescue platform solution was carefully assembled with safety for the rescuers and the sunfish as the highest priority. Viljoen added that “a critical component” of this rescue was the incredible support from Teemane Cranes.
Viljoen added, “Teemane Cranes, who generously donated the use of their crane and operator on a public holiday. Without their assistance, this rescue would not have been possible”.
A crane was needed to help
The Communications Manager for the Aquarium, Heather Wares, explained that the rescue platform was lowered into the dry dock by crane. This allowed the Aquarium team to guide the sunfish onto it. Confirmation was then given to the crane operator, who lifted the sunfish out of the dry dock. He then lowered the marine animal 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.”
Flight and re-entry to water
According to Wares, following the sunfish’s flight and re-entry to water, their team entered the water themselves to untie the restraints securing the sunfish. She says they then swam alongside the fish as they guided it towards deeper water. This allowed the rescued sunfish time to reorient itself before safely swimming off. Wares added that as part of an ongoing genetic study, a small genetic sample of the marine animal was collected. They require tissue sampling to better understand which sunfish species are present in our water.
“We always respond to these calls and try to assist where possible,” said Claire Taylor, Interactive Exhibits & Marine Animal Welfare Specialist for the Two Oceans Aquarium.
