Albino dolphin, 2,200-pound sunfish seen off Dana Point

Posted by admin in Dana Point, Orange County

Two rare marine animals were seen off Dana Point recently: an albino dolphin and a sunfish – the heaviest bony fish, weighing in about 2,200 pounds.

Donna Kalez, general manager of Dana Wharfsportfishing and whale watching, said a photo taken Friday of the sunfish is “gold,” as it’s difficult to catch the creatures on camera. The sunfish, also called mola mola, is usually native to tropical and temperate waters and eats lots of jellyfish. Kalez said sunfish are usually seen in the summer and are not typical sights on whale-watching trips.

Kalez shared photos of a rare albino dolphin shot Friday as well. Dana Wharf has seen three albino dolphins off Dana Point’s coast. They are white rather than the typical gray. Albino dolphins are affected by the same lack of pigment as humans with albinism.

“You will not see it every day,” Kalez said.

liftuo-b78772106z.120110321193234000gs3u4n6o.1liftup-b78772106z.120110321193234000gs3u4n7r.1liftup-b78772106z.120110321193234000gs3u4n82.1liftuq-b78772106z.120110321193234000gs3u4nbo.1By BRITTANY LEVINE THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER