ABSTRACT
Despite reaching large sizes, ocean sunfish (genera Mola and Masturus) are atypical among marine megafauna. High fecundity, potential for fast growth and limited human exploitation point to resilient lifeforms in the Anthropocene. However, sunfish are little studied, and many of their life history traits are not well understood. Furthermore, a complicated taxonomic legacy in Mola has caused widespread confusion between species. Within this chapter, sunfish fisheries interactions are reviewed. Most occur as bycatch with very few targeted fisheries, as commercial markets are rare outside Asia. Globally, sunfish are typically not retained but post-release mortality is largely unknown. The potential for using catches of sunfishes as a proxy for abundance is discussed, although this poses challenges such as the limited availability of fisheries data at species level. Species distribution modelling is discussed as a conservation tool, specifically to better understand species overlaps with fisheries as well as potential range shifts associated with climate change. Other potential anthropogenic impacts to sunfish are briefly discussed, including effects of shipping traffic and tourism. The small Ranzania laevis is discussed separately as this species is little studied in comparison and the extent of both fisheries interactions and subsequent human consumption are yet unclear.
