HOW ABOUT THAT?

HELLO STEEMIANS!

We've had some epic news from our little part of the world here in NZ, a new species of the Giant Ocean Sunfish ( AKA the Molamola ) has now been recorded. This fish grows to a staggering 2000kgs + ( over 2 tonnes ) and can frequently be seen "sunning" in the top water off the NZ coast during particular times of the year-
Here's a good article on the discovery
https://www.rt.com/viral/397269-new-species-sunfish-newzealand/

"The new species managed to evade discovery for nearly three centuries by 'hiding' in a messy history of sunfish taxonomy, partially because they are so difficult to preserve and study, even for natural history museums" Marianne Nyegaard, the scientist who has found the new species.

Here's a clip of a similar species I filmed earlier this year off Northlands coast - they are a truly weird looking and enourmous animal!

I didn't have the opportunity to jump in the water when this was filmed, as I didn't have my fins or my snorkel with me ( this was a recreational fishing trip ), but next time I'll be over-the-side to swim with one in no time, as we seem to be seeing more of them now :)

FYI for those wondering - the fishing trip successful on this occasion too -

This snapper went 8.5kgs and feed us well for a couple of nights!