The ocean is home to countless mysterious creatures, many of which remain largely unseen by the public due to their deep-sea habitat. Among these enigmatic species is the oarfish, a long, ribbon-shaped fish known for its rare sightings and mythical connections. Recently, three oarfish have washed up along the Southern California coastline, fueling both scientific curiosity and an ancient legend surrounding their appearance. For the second time this year, the California coast has become the site of an oarfish sighting, prompting discussions about the so-called “doomsday fish” and its connection to natural disasters.
Source: Scripps Institute of Oceanography
Oarfish, despite their elusive nature, are more than just a curiosity, they have sparked fascination and fear in equal measure. Due to their strange appearance and their rarity in shallow waters, oarfish are often seen as messengers of doom in various cultures. Japanese folklore, in particular, claims that these fish can predict earthquakes and other natural disasters.
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This belief was brought to the forefront in 2011 when multiple oarfish were found on Japan’s shores just before the devastating earthquake and tsunami that struck the region. But is there any scientific basis behind this ancient myth, or are these strandings simply a rare natural occurrence?
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The recent discoveries of oarfish along California’s beaches have renewed interest in these fish, with scientists eager to study the creatures and their mysterious behavior. The most recent oarfish sighting occurred in November 2024, when a nearly 10-foot-long specimen was discovered on a beach in Encinitas, California. This was the third such sighting in the state in just a few months, following earlier strandings in La Jolla Cove and Huntington Beach. While the oarfish may be rare, their appearances are providing a valuable opportunity for researchers to learn more about the deep-sea species.
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What Is the Oarfish and Why Is It Considered a “Doomsday Fish?”
Oarfish are among the most unique and elusive creatures in the ocean. They have long, ribbon-like bodies that can grow up to 20 feet in length, with distinctive dorsal fins that run along their backs. Oarfish are typically found in the mesopelagic zone of the ocean, a dark, deep-water region located between 200 and 1,000 meters below the surface. In this zone, where sunlight cannot penetrate, these fish live in isolation, rarely making their way to the surface.
Source: Aquarium/UnCruise Adventures
The oarfish’s incredible size and otherworldly appearance have made it a subject of myth for centuries. In Japan, the oarfish is known as “ryugu no tsukai,” or “messenger from the sea god’s palace.” According to Japanese folklore, the fish appears before major earthquakes, signaling impending disaster. This myth gained widespread attention after the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami, when 20 oarfish washed ashore in the months leading up to the catastrophe. The sighting of the oarfish was seen by many as an omen of the deadly earthquake that followed, further solidifying the fish’s reputation as a “doomsday fish.”
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Despite the widespread belief in the oarfish’s ability to predict natural disasters, scientists have found no solid evidence linking these fish to earthquakes or other calamities. A 2019 study conducted by researchers in Japan found no correlation between oarfish sightings and seismic activity, debunking the legend that these fish can predict earthquakes. However, this hasn’t stopped people from associating the creatures with disasters, and every sighting of an oarfish tends to reignite the conversation about its “doom” associations.
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Oarfish are incredibly rare to find in shallow waters, which is why their appearances are often seen as extraordinary events. These fish are typically deep-sea dwellers, spending most of their lives far below the surface. This isolation from human activity contributes to their mystique. When oarfish do make their way to the surface or wash up on shores, it is often because they are disoriented, injured, or dying. The conditions that cause them to rise from the depths and wash up on beaches are not fully understood, but scientists are working to unravel this mystery.
Source: Mark Benfield / Journal of Fish Biology
The California Oarfish Sightings: An Unusual Event
The recent string of oarfish strandings in California has raised questions about why these fish are appearing more frequently. Since 1901, fewer than 25 oarfish have been documented washing up along California’s coastline. The recent uptick in sightings has prompted researchers at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography to investigate potential causes for the increased frequency of these strandings.
Source: Alison Laferriere / Scripps Institution of Oceanography
The first sighting of the year occurred in August 2024 when a 12-foot-long oarfish was found floating in the waters off La Jolla Cove, near San Diego. A group of kayakers and snorkelers discovered the fish, and it was later recovered by the Scripps Institution. This specimen was transported to the NOAA Fisheries Science Center for further study, providing an opportunity for researchers to analyze the fish’s anatomy and gather valuable biological data.
Source:Erik Jepsen/UC San Diego
In September 2024, another oarfish was found in Huntington Beach, though this specimen was more severely degraded and was not preserved for further research. Finally, in November 2024, the third oarfish was discovered in Encinitas. This nearly 10-foot-long fish was spotted by PhD candidate Alison Laferriere, who works at the Scripps Institution. Laferriere and her team collected samples from the fish, which are now being studied in detail.
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While the strandings themselves are unusual, scientists believe that shifts in ocean conditions may be contributing to the rise in oarfish sightings. Factors such as changes in ocean temperature, currents, and weather patterns could be influencing the behavior of deep-sea creatures like the oarfish. Researchers have pointed to broader climate patterns, such as El Niño and La Niña, as possible contributors to the uptick in sightings. However, scientists acknowledge that many variables are likely at play, and it remains difficult to pinpoint the exact causes of these strandings.
Source: Scripps Institution of Oceanography
Why Do Oarfish Wash Ashore?
Oarfish are known to inhabit deep, dark waters far from human activity. So why do these rare fish occasionally wash up on beaches? There are several potential explanations, though none are definitively proven. One possibility is that the fish are simply disoriented, possibly due to illness, injury, or changes in their environment. The deep-sea ecosystem where oarfish reside is vastly different from the coastal waters where they occasionally appear, and it’s possible that disruptions in their environment could cause them to wander closer to shore.
Another potential explanation is that ocean conditions, such as changes in water temperature or currents, may be affecting the fish’s behavior. Studies have shown that oceanic changes, including shifts in El Niño and La Niña patterns, can impact marine life in a variety of ways. These changes might be leading to the unusual strandings of oarfish, although more research is needed to understand the exact connection between ocean conditions and these rare occurrences.
In some cases, oarfish may also be suffering from physical injuries or illnesses that cause them to become weak and vulnerable to washing ashore. As deep-sea creatures, oarfish are adapted to life in low-pressure, low-light environments. Changes in pressure or other factors might cause them to rise to the surface and become stranded on the shore.
What Are Scientists Learning from Oarfish Strandings?
Each new oarfish sighting presents a unique opportunity for scientists to study these elusive creatures. The specimens found in California are being carefully examined to learn more about their biology, behavior, and possible causes of death. One of the most significant discoveries came from the autopsy of an oarfish found earlier this year. Researchers were able to analyze its organs and generate the “first high-quality, chromosome-level genome” of the species. This groundbreaking research will help scientists better understand the genetics of oarfish and their relationship to other deep-sea species.
Source:Erik Jepsen/UC San Diego
The Scripps Institution of Oceanography is one of the leading research facilities studying oarfish, and the institution’s marine vertebrate collection houses some of the most significant specimens of deep-sea fish. As more oarfish wash ashore, scientists hope to gather additional data to unlock the mysteries of these strange fish. With fewer than 25 documented sightings in over a century, each new discovery is a valuable piece of the puzzle that could reveal more about the oarfish’s behavior and its role in the deep-sea ecosystem.
Source: OCEANA
The Oarfish Mystery Continues to Fascinate
The oarfish has long been a symbol of mystery and intrigue. Whether viewed as a harbinger of doom or simply a rare and fascinating creature, the recent strandings of oarfish along California’s coastline have reignited interest in these deep-sea fish. While the “doomsday fish” legend continues to captivate the public imagination, scientists are focused on studying the actual causes behind these rare appearances.
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The uptick in oarfish sightings raises important questions about the state of the ocean and the potential impacts of climate change on marine life. As researchers continue to study these mysterious fish, they hope to uncover more about the factors driving their strandings and what they can teach us about the health of our oceans.
Source: NOAA Fisheries
In the end, the oarfish remains an elusive and enigmatic creature—one that continues to spark both scientific curiosity and folklore. Whether or not it predicts doom, the oarfish’s presence in the shallow waters of California offers a glimpse into the unknown depths of the ocean, where mysteries are still waiting to be uncovered.
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