MOLA MOLA FISH
In the waters off Oban during a whale watching trip to his amazement Shane spotted and filmed a Mola Mola fish near the surface. There have been several confirmed sightings round the British coasts since then and much new research in Ireland. The water temperature off Oban at the time of Shane’s sighting was 18 degrees C. (the species needs 12 degrees C. min. to survive) and it’s thought the fish took advantage of the Gulf Stream warm temperatures to reach Oban.
The spectacular size of the creature ( it’s apparently not a “fish”) was illustrated by Peter’s excellent powerpoint slide presentation showing it’s sheer scale, swimming like an enormous sunfish consuming it’s diet of “sailor” jellyfish,eelgrass and molluscs. Preditors include killer whales, sharks and sea-lions. Peter did not recommend eating the species as it can be poisonous to humans but it is apparently eaten in Japan and Korea, countries with a tradition of dealing with poisonous fish!'What We Do' Main Pages: