Rare ‘doomsday fish’ emerge from the depths in California
Oarfish, also known as ‘doomsday fish’, have a bad reputation which researchers say is unfounded. Photo: Facebook/Scripps Institution of Oceanography
A ‘doomsday fish’ has washed up on the shores of California, the third specimen of the elusive deep-sea species in the state during the past three months.
The ‘doomsday fish’, also called oarfish, measuring up to three metres long, was discovered by a university student on an Encinitas beach earlier this month.
Oarfish were also found in August and September; Scripps Institution of Oceanography said only 20 oarfish have washed up in California since 1901.
🌊 Last weekend, some lucky kayakers and snorkelers came across a rare deep-sea dwelling fish in La Jolla Cove. The seagoers spotted a 12-foot #oarfish and to give you an idea of how rare this encounter is, only 20 oarfish have washed up in California since 1901! pic.twitter.com/fDL3AWPOFq
— Scripps Institution of Oceanography (@Scripps_Ocean) August 14, 2024
The latest specimen was sent to be studied at the Southwest Fisheries Science Centre.
“We took samples and froze the specimen awaiting further study and final preservation in the Marine Vertebrate Collection,” Scripps Oceanography marine vertebrate collection manager Ben Frable said.
“Like with the previous oarfish, this specimen and the samples taken from it will be able to tell us much about the biology, anatomy, genomics and life history of oarfishes.”
Oarfish are often dubbed ‘doomsday’ fish as some cultures hold the superstition that sightings of the creatures are signs of impending natural disasters.
This belief seemed to carry extra weight after 20 oarfish reportedly washed ashore ahead of Japan’s devastating 2011 earthquake; however, a 2019 study found barely any space or time connection between oarfish sightings and earthquakes.
Oarfish, which can grow to more than nine metres, are rarely seen given they typically live 200 metres below the ocean’s surface, and can even live 1000 metres deep.
Frable said the deep-water creatures may be coming closer to Californian shores due to changes in ocean conditions and increasing population.
“Sometimes it may be linked to broader shifts such as the El Niño and La Niña cycle but this is not always the case,” he said.
“There was a weak El Niño earlier this year.
“This wash-up coincided with the recent red tide and Santa Ana winds last week but many variables could lead to these strandings.”
Oarfish have also been spotted in the waters around Australia in recent years.
In September, Tiwi Islands Adventures fisherman Curtis Peterson showed off his rare catch; a live specimen was also spotted in the Great Barrier Reef in 2022.
