On the west coast of Tasmania, Australia, a bizarre event recently unfolded at Ocean Beach. Sybil Robertson, a local woman walking her dog, discovered a rare giant oarfish washed ashore. Measuring over 9 feet (approximately 2.7 meters) in length, this elusive deep-sea creature is also popularly known as the "doomsday fish" or "earthquake fish" due to folklore linking its appearance to impending natural disasters.
Robertson initially noticed a silvery glimmer on the sand early on June 2nd and, intrigued by the unusual sight, took photos and shared them on social media. Marine experts quickly identified the fish as an oarfish, a species that typically inhabits depths between 200 and 500 meters and can grow up to 36 feet (about 11 meters) long and weigh over 441 pounds (around 200 kilograms).
Oarfish are rarely seen near the surface, making sightings like this exceptionally unusual. According to marine ecologist Neville Barrett from the University of Tasmania, these fish live far offshore in deep waters where humans seldom venture, which explains their rarity on beaches.
In various cultures, especially in Japan and Taiwan, the oarfish is considered a harbinger of earthquakes or tsunamis, earning it the nickname "earthquake fish". This belief has caused concern among locals and netizens, many of whom expressed fears that the world might be nearing an apocalyptic event. Comments ranged from worries about environmental displeasure to ominous signs of destruction.
Similar sightings have been reported recently in other parts of the world, including Lanzarote, Spain, and Baja California Sur, Mexico, where injured oarfish were found on beaches, fueling further speculation about their mysterious appearances.
Despite the folklore, there is no scientific evidence linking oarfish appearances to seismic activity. Still, their rare emergence from deep waters continues to fascinate scientists and the public alike.
Robertson described the fish as "shiny, lovely, and beautiful", but noted that by the afternoon, the creature had been mostly scavenged by local wildlife. Authorities have since inspected the site and may have collected samples for further study.
