A team of researchers and sea enthusiasts made a startling discovery off the coast of Southern California that has sparked concern among snorkelers and kayakers. On August 10, a group of snorkelers and kayakers in La Jolla Cove stumbled upon a 12-foot long oarfish floating lifelessly in the ocean. This rare encounter left the group in awe, as oarfish sightings are incredibly uncommon. In fact, according to the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, only 20 oarfish have washed up in California since 1901.
The oarfish, also known as a ‘doomsday fish’, is a peculiar marine creature with a long, serpent-like body and striking features. The fish had a silvery color with gray and black spots along its back, and red hair-like strips growing from its forehead. The unusual appearance of the oarfish has led to its nickname as a harbinger of bad news in some cultures. Legend has it that sightings of oarfish are seen as warning signs from higher powers, indicating impending disasters or destruction. In Japan, for example, 20 oarfish washed ashore just before a devastating earthquake in 2011.
The snorkelers and kayakers wasted no time in alerting lifeguards to the discovery of the oarfish. With the help of California Sea Grant and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries Service, the fish was transported to a NOAA facility for further examination. Scientists are eager to conduct a necropsy on the oarfish to determine the cause of its death and gather valuable insights about this mysterious species.
Thanks to the efforts of these locals, the oarfish will become part of the Marine Vertebrate Collection at Scripps, one of the largest collections of deep-sea fish in the world. This will provide scientists with an opportunity to study the oarfish in greater detail and deepen our understanding of this enigmatic creature.
The discovery of the oarfish comes on the heels of another unusual find off the US coast. Just a few months prior, a rare, round 7.3-foot long hoodwinker sunfish washed ashore on Oregon’s northern coast. The hoodwinker sunfish, first documented by humans in 2017, is a species that has only been seen a handful of times in the Pacific, Australia, and New Zealand. Unlike the oarfish, the hoodwinker sunfish has not been associated with apocalyptic prophecies.
In light of these intriguing marine discoveries, the Scripps Institution of Oceanography encourages anyone who comes across a ‘fishy find’ to notify lifeguards and the institution. By reporting such sightings, individuals can contribute to the ongoing research and conservation efforts aimed at protecting marine life in our oceans.
As we continue to unravel the mysteries of the deep sea, it is essential to remain vigilant and engaged in the preservation of our marine ecosystems. The unexpected appearance of creatures like the oarfish and the hoodwinker sunfish serves as a reminder of the vast diversity and complexity of life beneath the waves. Through collaboration between scientists, sea enthusiasts, and the general public, we can work together to safeguard the wonders of the ocean for generations to come.
