Holy Mola - $ to process data for Sunfish research

We are a small group of international researchers who have banded together because we just can't help ourselves in wanting to better understand the range of the Hoodwinker Sunfish (Mola tecta) and how it overlaps with that of the Ocean Sunfish (Mola mola).

Mola tecta is a newly described sunfish species that was thought to range only in the southern hemisphere. Our project  - based on crowd-sourced data - reveals that this mysteries species ranges much further to the north. It has been documented from California all the way up to Alaska!

We have made steady progress through our volunteer efforts but now need some funding to process the data, so we can move forward and publish the research. The $2,000 will fund two years of Survey Monkey and 1 license for Filemaker.

This is a brilliant case of mistaken identity where citizen science has contributed significantly to better understand the range of the two species of Sunfish off the northwest coast of North America.  Read more about the project here including how to submit images + access links to media articles and Dr. Nyegaard's presentation on the Project.

Why does this matter? 
Our project will not only add to our understanding of sunfish species but will amplify the value of crowd-sourced science in understanding marine ecosystems. It highlights how much there is still to be learned about the ocean; that, in fact, there are still huge (sunfish-sized!) discoveries to be made. We hope this will help inspire both greater humility and increased action for of the ocean. 

Incentives other than those great goals?

- For those contributing over $250 CAN, you will be named in the acknowledgements of the paper.

- All funders will be entered into a draw for a hardcover copy of the NEW book "The Ocean Sunfishes" signed by author and project team member, Dr. Tierney Thys. 

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Project Team:

Dr. Marianne Nyegaard - Ocean Sunfish Research 

Dr. Tierney Thys - Ocean Sunfish 

Tor Mowatt-Larssen - Virginia Institute of Marine Science 

Jackie Hildering - Marine Education and Research Society 

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