An Ocean Sunfish specimen (Masturus lanceolatus) measuring 1.80 metres and weighing over a tonne washed up on Porto Pim beach in the early hours of today. It was rescued by locals, who were aided by the biologists from Flying Sharks, a company headquartered in Porto Pim Aquarium - Live Fish Station (Faial Natural Park).

The specimen was in good health. After being fed, the fish recovered at the Porto Pim Aquarium. It will be released today in a joint action of the Department of Oceanography and Fisheries (DOP) of the University of the Azores, Faial Natural Park and Flying Sharks; the latter uses the Live Fish Station for the acclimation/housing of fish specimens that are sent to public aquariums around the world.

Sunfish are the largest bony fish. They can reach three metres and weigh about two tonnes. This species has a distinctive circular body shape, which is unusual among fish species.
Sunfish inhabit the temperate and warm areas of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans and feed on jellyfish, crustaceans and small fish.

The primary goal of Porto Pim Aquarium is to promote the knowledge on the Azores Sea. In this regard, environmental education and awareness raising actions as well as the recovery of sensitive marine animals are the main missions of Faial Natural Par for this unit.