Rare ‘Doomsday fish’ washes up on Southern California beach for a third time this year

A rare oarfish, often referred to as the "doomsday fish," has washed ashore for the third time this year, sparking curiosity among marine scientists.

The latest sighting occurred on Grandview Beach in Encinitas, California, where PhD candidate Alison Laferriere spotted the eel-like fish this month.

The oarfish, measuring between nine and 10 feet long, was discovered three months after another oarfish was found in La Jolla, also in California.

The discovery was confirmed by the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, which shared the news on social media, humouring the phenomenon by writing, “Just when you thought the oarfish hype had died down… Look what decided to make another appearance!”

Following the discovery, Ben Frable, manager of the Scripps Oceanography Marine Vertebrate Collection, reached out to the NOAA Fisheries Service team for assistance in recovering the specimen.

The oarfish was transported to the Southwest Fisheries Science Center for further examination. Frable explained that the specimen would be studied for its biology, anatomy, genomics, and life history.

This marks the 21st oarfish found on beaches since 1901. Oarfish, which can grow up to 30 feet, are deep-sea creatures that are rarely seen.

Experts speculate that the frequency of oarfish strandings this year may be linked to changes in ocean conditions, particularly a weak El Niño and recent events such as a red tide and Santa Ana winds.

Frable noted that while El Niño can sometimes affect marine life, other variables are also at play in these strandings.

The ‘Doomsday Fish’ and Japanese Folklore

The latest sighting has drawn attention due to its association with Japanese mythology, where the fish is considered a harbinger of doom. In Japanese folklore, the oarfish, often called the "doomsday fish," is believed to signal an impending disaster. The creature, known in Japan as "ryugu no tsukai" or "messenger from the sea god’s palace," is thought to be a servant of the sea god Ryūjin.

Historically, these fish are believed to appear before major earthquakes. The notion gained traction after the 2011 Tohoku earthquake, when several oarfish were spotted in the region.

The fish, which can grow up to 30 feet long, has a long, ribbon-like body, large eyes, and foreboding red spines. Its eerie appearance has only fuelled these ominous beliefs, especially when it appears close to shore.

Unclear cause of death, speculation surrounds the Ffsh’s appearance

Despite the myths, the cause of death for the oarfish found this month remains unclear. Ben Frable, the manager of the Scripps Oceanography Marine Vertebrate Collection, confirmed that a necropsy would be conducted to determine how the fish died. Frable explained that the specimen would be preserved for future study, offering valuable insights into the biology, anatomy, and genomics of oarfishes.

“We took samples and froze the specimen awaiting further study and final preservation in the Marine Vertebrate Collection,” Frable said in a statement shared on social media.

The 2011 sightings and oarfish Myths

The connection between oarfish sightings and natural disasters became particularly pronounced after multiple oarfish were spotted before the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and the subsequent Fukushima nuclear disaster. However, despite popular belief, no scientific evidence has been found to connect the oarfish sightings with these catastrophic events.

“There is no scientific evidence of a connection, so I don’t think people need to worry,” said Hiroyuki Motomura, a professor of ichthyology at Kagoshima University. He explained that oarfish tend to rise to the surface when they are in poor health, driven by water currents, which often causes them to end up stranded and dead.

Oarfish are deep-sea dwellers that typically live between 700 and 3,280 feet below the surface, making their rare appearances on shore even more puzzling. While sightings of oarfish often trigger fear of impending disaster, experts suggest that changes in their physical condition, rather than omens of doom, are more likely to explain their unusual appearances.