Gigantic Hoodwinker Sunfish Found on Oregon Beach; Locals Wonder if it Just Got Really Lost
On June 3rd, residents of the northern Oregon coast were greeted with an unexpected and massive visitor from the sea—a rare, 7.3-foot hoodwinker sunfish, or Mola tecta, washed ashore on Gearhart Beach, leaving locals puzzling over how such a mythical creature ended up so far from its typical whereabouts. Hoodwinked indeed!
This unexpected event quickly caught the interest of marine biologists and beachgoers alike. Images circulating on social media, courtesy of the Seaside Aquarium, showed the sunfish looking decidedly out of place, sprawled on its side in the sand with its mouth wide open—presumably in a silent, ongoing scream of "Where the heck am I?"
Mariann Nyegaard, a New Zealand-based researcher, was quick to identify the species as the hoodwinker sunfish. Nyegaard's groundbreaking research led to the discovery and naming of this elusive species in a 2017 paper. Normally, these colossal creatures are thought to frolic in the temperate waters of the Southern Hemisphere—imagine the sunfish as an expatriate, perhaps lured by tales of Oreos and craft beer in Oregon.
However, it seems that hoodwinkers are becoming well-versed in their travel. In recent years, their itinerary has expanded, with appearances along the California coast and even as far north as Alaska. This surprising pattern has scientists scratching their heads and climate change skeptics clinging to charts and graphs like life rafts.
Back on Gearhart Beach, the sunfish is likely to become a fixture for the immediate future. Its remarkably tough skin means it might "reside" on the sandy shore for a few more days, or even weeks. This has transformed the typically serene beach into a temporary tourist attraction. Armed with smartphones and curiosity, clusters of people made their way to the coast, eager to catch a glimpse of this oddball sunfish.
Nyegaard, evidently eager to have a bigger fish story to tell, contacted the aquarium to request genetic samples from the sunfish. After further images and meticulous measurements were taken, it was concluded that this could potentially be the largest hoodwinker specimen ever sampled—a fact that undoubtedly makes this sunfish the equivalent of Bigfoot in the marine world.
As the days pass, the sunfish’s presence continues to spark discussions—not only about the marvels of marine biodiversity but also about how exactly a temperate-sea-loving fish ended up hanging loose in Oregon. Maybe it took a wrong turn at the Equator, or perhaps it was aggressively marketed an Airbnb in the Pacific Northwest.
With all the buzz, one thing is clear: Oregon's Gearhart Beach has wound up with an unexpected and gigantic guest. And whether you consider the migration of the hoodwinker sunfish as another quirk of nature or just a tragic instance of a poorly planned fish vacation, it has certainly added a splash of wonder—and size—to this coastal town.
To those waiting to bid the sunfish farewell, a piece of advice: Maybe bring a pair of shades; after all, fame is a beach!