Oarfish Resurfaces Fears Again, Linked to Disasters
The appearance of an oarfish on the shores of the Canary Islands has sparked concerns among those who associate its presence with impending disasters. Some call it the “ominous fish,” while others refer to it as the “doomsday fish.”
In a widely circulated video, a person is seen attempting to rescue the fish, which was found on the shores of the Canary Islands. It appeared significantly shorter than the maximum length of this species, which is known to be the longest fish in the world, reaching up to 56 feet.
These fish typically inhabit deep-sea waters, and their appearance on the shore or in shallow waters is not considered a good sign. According to Japanese folklore, this serpent-like fish throws itself onto the shore when it senses an impending catastrophe.
The number of people believing in these myths has increased after dozens of oarfish were spotted on shores before the 2011 Fukushima earthquake and tsunami.
Addressing these superstitions, Professor Hiroyuki Motomura, a fish science expert at Kagoshima University, emphasized that there is no scientific evidence linking oarfish appearances to disasters. He noted that the association between them has existed for many years.
The professor explained that these fish rise to the surface when their physical condition deteriorates, drifting with water currents, which explains why they are often found dead on the shore. He urged people to remain calm and not link their presence to disasters.
It is worth mentioning that last year, an oarfish was found at “La Jolla Cove” two days before a 4.6-magnitude earthquake struck Los Angeles. However, experts quickly dismissed any connection between the two events.
