Mysterious Oarfish Washes Up Again on California Shores, Sparking Scientific Interest and Legends

A nearly ten-foot-long ribbon-shaped oarfish has been discovered washed up on a beach in Encinitas, California, marking the second such occurrence this year. The oarfish, a rarely seen deep-sea species, is believed by some to signal impending disasters, earning it the nickname «doomsday fish.»

The oarfish was found by Alison Laferriere, a PhD candidate from the Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California, San Diego. Oarfish typically inhabit the mesopelagic zone of the ocean, dwelling as deep as 3,300 feet below the surface, an area characterized by darkness and largely beyond the reach of sunlight. These fish are capable of growing up to 20 feet long, yet remain largely unstudied, according to information from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

The mythical status of oarfish as harbingers of doom was notably revived in 2011, leading to folklore being dubbed «earthquake fish.» This narrative gained attention when a series of oarfish stranded themselves on Japanese shores before the devastating tsunami, which was triggered by an undersea earthquake near Honshu, Japan’s largest island.

According to the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, instances of oarfish washing ashore are rare, with only 21 recorded events on California’s shores since 1901. Ben Frable, a researcher at the institution, posited that changing ocean conditions, alongside possible rises in oarfish populations, might contribute to the increased sightings. This view was part of a statement following the discovery of another oarfish earlier this year, measuring 12 feet, found by kayakers and snorkelers in La Jolla Cove, north of San Diego.

Frable emphasized that such rare discoveries provide valuable opportunities for further understanding of the species and its behavior. He noted that La Jolla’s unique geographical features, including undersea canyons, may create conditions favorable for disoriented or deceased deep-sea fish to surface and wash ashore.

The scientific community continues to investigate these enigmatic occurrences, fueling both academic interest and public intrigue. A 2019 research study found no conclusive scientific link between oarfish sightings and seismic activity, leaving the interpretation of these events open to speculation.