Rare oarfish spotted on Baja California Sur beach
An oarfish, often referred to as a ‘doomsday fish,’ was discovered earlier this month on Playa El Quemado beach in Baja California Sur, Mexico. The sighting, which took place on February 9, was captured on video and has since gone viral on social media.
Eyewitness account
Robert Hayes, a beachgoer who recorded the footage, shared his experience with Storyful.
“That’s an oarfish. Holy sh–, they’ve almost never been seen live,” an astonished man is heard saying in the video. “Nobody’s gonna believe this.”
Hayes described how the oarfish “swam straight at us, lifting its head above the water about two inches.” He and others attempted to guide the fish back into deeper waters multiple times, but each attempt proved futile as it repeatedly returned to shore.
Public reactions and concerns
The viral footage has sparked widespread speculation and concern among viewers. Some social media users have linked the sighting to potential seismic activity, referencing past instances where deep-sea fish appeared before major earthquakes.
“What is going on in the bottom of the ocean that has all these deep-sea fish suddenly surfacing?” one person questioned.
“Huge earthquake incoming. These deep-sea fish are probably trying to escape what might be an underwater fissure spewing toxic gases,” another commented.
A third user noted, “Lots of deep-sea creatures making it up to the surface these days. What do these omens portend?”
The mystery of the oarfish
Oarfish primarily reside in deep-sea environments and are rarely observed near the surface.
According to Ocean Conservancy, “If one is spotted close to the surface, it typically indicates that the creature is sick, dying, or at least disoriented.”
The deep-sea fish has earned the nickname “doomsday fish” due to folklore suggesting that its appearance serves as a warning sign for natural disasters such as earthquakes.
Historical connections to earthquakes
This belief stems from historical events, such as the appearance of at least 20 oarfish on Japanese shores in 2011, months before the country was struck by a devastating 9.1 magnitude earthquake. The disaster, which occurred off the northeast coast of Honshu, resulted in the deaths of more than 18,000 people.
While scientists caution against drawing direct connections between oarfish sightings and seismic activity, the rare appearance of the deep-sea creature continues to fuel speculation and superstition around the world.
