A fin spotted in Pleasure Bay in South Boston

1.2 min readBy Published On: October 4th, 2024Categories: News4 Comments on A fin spotted in Pleasure Bay in South Boston

Cue the Jaw theme…

A fin was spotted in Pleasure Bay – yes, inside of the Lagoon, on Thursday afternoon.  One CIS reader send us the following footage.  Is it a shark? Is it a baby whale, Jay?  Or maybe it’s a Mola mola.

The mola mola, also known as the ocean sunfish, is a large bony fish that the New England Aquarium has studied and rescued. The mola mola is often mistaken for a white shark because of its large, triangular dorsal fin. However, a mola mola’s dorsal fin is tall and narrow with a rounded top, while a white shark’s dorsal fin is wider with a sloped front and straight trailing edge.

The unusual swimming behavior of the common mola often alerts us to the presence of this animal at the water’s surface. As the fish lies on its side, the dorsal fin flops up and down causing a disturbance at the water’s surface.

In the past, there have been mola mola swimming in Pleasure Bay and one was spotted in the Fort Point Channel, so they are in the area. We have to admit, the mola mola is more frightening looking than a shark but then again, we freak out if we see seaweed in the ocean.

And never forget this viral incident with a mola mola in Boston Harbor.

Let us know if you see it! Tag us in your photos!

Main image via Caroline Ferro on Instagram.

 

4 Comments

  1. Jimmy Day O'Neil October 4, 2024 at 11:36 am - Reply

    That’s not the steady movement of a shark, propelled by a powerful tail. It looks more like a Wu collaborateur gathering intelligence.

  2. Kevin October 4, 2024 at 11:44 am - Reply

    Definitely a Mola Mola. Saw it on Wednesday and thought it had already made it’s way out with the tide while I was there but guess not! Another video here – https://bsky.app/profile/bostontimelapse.bsky.social/post/3l5kbxmrh3t2a

  3. mplo October 4, 2024 at 10:41 pm - Reply

    Oh, wow! That is some fish there! Pretty freaky!!

  4. JUSTYN TYME October 10, 2024 at 4:27 pm - Reply

    How could anything like that get through the LOCKS???

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