CEBU, Philippines - An ocean sunfish weighing more than 50 kilograms washed up along the shore of Sitio Baybay, Barangay Dumlog, Talisay City early morning yesterday.
A 30-year-old fisherman, Ken Capablanca, had gone out fishing when he spotted the fish along the shore.
He said that it was easy for him to capture the fish, which is 152 cm in length and 92cm width, but it took four men to carry the sunfish to land.
They then called the Fishermen Sea and Ecological Care (FISECA), the city’s own version of Bantay Dagat, and brought the fish to the group's office in Barangay Cansojong.
Sunfish are known to inhabit only in deep waters, but Capablanca believed that one he found may have been captured by large boats but somehow managed to escape.
They found bruises and wounds on the fish’s body, which explains why it was already weak when found washed up on the seashore.
Hours after it was discovered, the fish died.
Capablanca and his group intended to eat the sunfish but Apple Jane Into, the City’s Fisheries Program Coordinator, warns that it is not safe to eat.
"Masakiton ang isda, dili pwede kan-on kay basin makalanag," she said.
She added that she will contact the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) on what to do with the fish.
The sunfish remains at the FISECA office, pending feedback from BFAR.
FISECA chairman Gregorio Dela Torre said that once they receive the order from the BFAR office, the fish will be buried immediately. (FREEMAN)