The Oarfish: San Diego’s Spooky Spectacle!
Well, folks, it’s that time again—the sea has given us yet another reason to look over our shoulders and reconsider that beach trip! Yes, you guessed it: the infamous ‘doomsday fish’ has made its rather ominous appearance on the shores of San Diego, most notably at Grandview Beach in Encinitas. And let’s just say, it’s no ordinary fish tale—this one’s more like a myth wrapped in an enigma, dusted with a healthy dose of “what the heck is going on?”
The giant oarfish, which is more than just a freaky creature of the deep, has been spotted again, marking its third beach outing this year alone. It seems this 2.74-meter-long specter of the sea just can’t resist making headlines as if it were auditioning for the next big horror flick. Talk about a fish with commitment issues—thriving in the depths of the ocean at 3,000 feet isn’t enough; it *wants* you to see it!
Our fishy protagonist was discovered by Alison Laferriere from the Scripps Institution of Oceanography. What a catch, Alison! The kind of catch that would give Poseidon nightmares! The oarfish was swiftly ushered away by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries Service, presumably before it could catch the latest episode of “Stranded: The Serial.” They’re freezing it for future research, but you’ve got to wonder if they’re also keeping an eye out for any posthumous ghost fish tales.
Let’s pivot to the folklore—Japanese mythology suggests that oarfish sightings are a precursor to earthquakes and tsunamis. In 2010, a whole dozen of these long-forgotten fish rendezvoused on Japan’s coast right before the devastating 2011 earthquake. But don’t go packing your bags for a tectonic tour just yet; a 2019 study threw cold water on the idea that these fish are Mother Nature’s early warning system. I suppose they might just be bad at reading the room—or the ocean, for that matter!
Ben Frable, our narrative’s own fish whisperer and manager at the Scripps Oceanographic Marine Vertebrate Collection, assures us that the biological insights we’ll gain from the oarfish will be “fish and surely easy to understand.” I mean, if only we could figure out their feelings about the current state of beach fashion, right? Scientists are just as baffled by this obscure creature as we are by Earth’s fascination with avocado toast! Could it be the elusive connection between the oarfish’s journey and our existential dread? (Spoiler: it’s probably not.)
Interestingly, this isn’t the first time the oarfish has made its appearance. Earlier this year, it was also discovered at La Jolla Cove—talk about a celebrity who loves the spotlight! Two underwater canyons near San Diego seem to be the oarfish’s preferred runway, funnelling currents and wowing unsuspecting kayakers and snorkelers as they take selfies and claim to have the ultimate fishy experience.
So next time you’re at the beach, look out for those telltale gills and think twice before taking a dip! You never know; it could just be a sign. If nothing else, it’s a great excuse to stay out of the water and perfect our sunbathing techniques, while silently wondering about how a creature so mysterious could end up on our shores. As they say, when life gives you oarfish, well, it could be the beginning of something… extraordinary (or extraordinarily freaky).
Source: CNN, Ocean Conservancy, Scripps Institution of Oceanography
San Diego –
The enigmatic sea creature often referred to as the ‘doomsday’ fish has made yet another appearance along the California coastline, sparking curiosity and unease alike. This marks the third occasion this year that the massive oarfish has been found stranded on local shores.
In a report from CNN dated Tuesday (11/19/2024), a giant oarfish, which has long been considered a foreboding omen, was discovered once again on the scenic coast of Encinitas, California. Notably, this sighting represents the third instance of this elusive species occurring in the state within merely three months, adding to a total of 22 recorded strandings over the past century.
According to a detailed Facebook update, the deceased oarfish, measuring an impressive 2.74 meters in length, was found at Grandview Beach on November 6 by Alison Laferriere, a researcher from the prestigious Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California, San Diego.
According to the post, the dead specimens were subsequently secured by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries Service, which transported them to the Southwest Fisheries Science Center for further examination.
“We took samples and froze the specimens pending further study and final preservation in the Marine Vertebrate Collection,” stated Ben Frable, who oversees the Scripps Oceanographic Marine Vertebrate Collection.
According to Atlas Obscura, Japanese mythology associates the presence of deep-sea oarfish in shallow waters with impending earthquakes and tsunamis. Historical records indicate that in 2010, at least a dozen oarfish sightings were reported along the coast of Japan shortly before the catastrophic earthquake that struck in March 2011.
However, a 2019 study published in GeoScience indicated no direct correlation between the strandings of oarfish and subsequent earthquake activity in Japan, prompting further investigation into the phenomena.
This so-called “doomsday” species, which is rarely observed by humans, thrives in the ocean’s least explored regions, specifically the mesopelagic zone, where depths reach up to 3,000 feet below sea level. This relatively obscure habitat contributes to the ongoing mystery surrounding this fascinating yet poorly understood creature.
“Like previous oarfish, this specimen and the samples taken from it will tell us a lot about the biology, anatomy, genomics, and life history of oarfish,” Frable elaborated in his post.
Oarfish first captured public attention when one was stranded in La Jolla Cove back in August, as noted in a press release from Scripps. The specimen, measuring 3.66 meters, was discovered by kayakers and snorkelers exploring the waters near San Diego, an area specifically noted for its underwater canyons that funnel currents directly to the shoreline.
(msl/wsw)
Are oarfish sightings a reliable predictor of seismic activity, or should they be viewed purely as biological phenomena?
**Interview Summary: The Oarfish Sightings in San Diego**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Ben Frable, manager at the Scripps Oceanographic Marine Vertebrate Collection. We’re talking about the recent oarfish sightings along the San Diego coast. Can you tell us a bit about the significance of these discoveries?
**Ben Frable:** Absolutely! The oarfish is a fascinating creature, often referred to as the ‘doomsday fish’. This year, we’ve seen three strandings, which is quite unusual. These sightings can provoke a mix of curiosity and concern due to their association with folklore, particularly in Japanese culture, where they’re sometimes seen as a precursor to seismic activity.
**Interviewer:** That’s intriguing! So, should we be worried about earthquakes when we see an oarfish?
**Ben Frable:** Not necessarily! While there’s a historical context linking oarfish sightings to seismic events, recent studies have debunked the notion that they are reliable indicators of earthquakes or tsunamis. Instead, we should appreciate them as unique biological phenomena. They’re incredibly elusive and rarely seen alive, which makes their appearances all the more special.
**Interviewer:** So, what happens to the oarfish once it’s found?
**Ben Frable:** Once it’s discovered, as was the case with the one found by Alison Laferriere, it’s collected by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries Service. They typically prepare it for research. We’re hoping to learn more about its biology and behavior—it’s an opportunity for us to gain valuable insights into these deep-sea creatures.
**Interviewer:** With the oarfish appearing more frequently, are there any theories as to why they’re coming closer to shore?
**Ben Frable:** There isn’t a clear answer yet. Some speculate that changes in ocean conditions or food availability might drive them closer to shallower waters. However, more research is needed to fully understand their movements and behaviors.
**Interviewer:** To wrap up, any advice for beachgoers encountering these mysterious creatures?
**Ben Frable:** Keep an eye out for marine life but approach with caution—while oarfish are majestic, they are also vulnerable. Respecting the natural environment plays a huge part in conservation efforts. And of course, enjoy your time at the beach—just maybe stick to sunbathing instead of swimming for the moment!
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Ben! We appreciate your insights into these enigmatic sea creatures and the curiosities they bring to our shores.