California's beaches are once again stirring with the unusual presence of oarfish, often dubbed the "doomsday fish" due to their mythical associations as harbingers of disaster. The latest sighting, reported on November 6, 2024, marked the recovery of yet another of these elusive deep-sea creatures—only the 21st time this species has washed up on California shores since records began over a century ago.
The 9-foot-long specimen was found at Grandview Beach, Encinitas, by PhD candidate Alison Laferriere from the Scripps Institution of Oceanography. Following its discovery, the oarfish was recovered by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries Service and sent to the Southwest Fisheries Science Center for analysis.
Just three months earlier, another oarfish measuring 12.25 feet was reported at La Jolla Cove. This increased frequency of sightings has captured the attention of both scientists and the public, who are curious about what these occurrences might signify.
Myths surrounding the oarfish portray it as the ultimate herald of impending natural disasters. Ocean folklore suggests these creatures surface before significant seismic events, with fears running high after the sighting of twenty oarfish along Japan's coastline just days prior to the 2011 earthquake and tsunami.
But scientists are cautious about linking these strandings to such foreboding predictions. A study released by Japanese researchers in 2019 concluded there was no scientific correlation between oarfish appearances and earthquakes, urging the public against making hasty deductions based solely on folklore.
Ben Frable, the manager of Scripps Oceanography's Marine Vertebrate Collection, remarked, "There is no confirmed correlation between Pacific oarfish and earthquakes. We should not make hasty conjectures, even if these legends have been part of maritime culture for centuries."
These recent strandings are likely connected to environmental changes. Factors such as warmer ocean temperatures and shifts linked to phenomena like El Niño and La Niña could be contributing. Frable noted, "It may have to do with changes in ocean conditions and increased numbers of oarfish off our coast."
The most recent oarfish discovery coincided with unusual ocean conditions, including a red tide and the effects of Santa Ana winds—environmental variables being studied to understand their impact on marine life.
The oarfish, residing primarily at depths of 200 to 1,000 meters, can reach lengths of up to 30 feet, making it the longest bony fish species. Its silvery, scaleless body with dark spots and long dorsal fins often inspires tales of sea monsters. Rarely seen due to its deep-sea lifestyle, each sighting provides scientists with valuable insights.
Frable confirmed, "Like the previous oarfish, this specimen and the samples taken from it will help us learn more about their biology, anatomy, genomics, and life history. It offers us the chance to study the species without the need for deep-sea exploration, which is often challenging and resource-intensive."
The increased presence of oarfish on California's shores has led experts to predict more potential sightings, urging the public to remain curious rather than alarmed about the possible "doomsday" symbolism. Researchers continue to monitor the ocean's ecosystems closely to ascertain the cause of these intriguing strandings.
