Rare ‘doomsday oarfish caught in Tamil Nadu

A rare oarfish, often called the “doomsday fish” in Japanese folklore, was recently caught off the coast of Tamil Nadu. This unusual deep-sea creature, which reportedly required seven men to lift, has revived discussions about its supposed ability to predict natural disasters. However, scientific evidence contradicts this belief.

Key Highlights

• The Sighting: A giant oarfish (Regalecus glesne), the world’s longest bony fish (reaching up to 36 feet/11 meters), was captured in Tamil Nadu.
• “Doomsday Fish” Folklore: In Japanese culture, the appearance of an oarfish near the surface is traditionally seen as a warning of an incoming natural disaster.
• Scientific Debunking: A 2019 study published in the Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America analyzed decades of data from Japan and found no statistically significant link between sightings of deep-sea fish (including oarfish) and earthquakes. This effectively debunks the scientific basis for their “doomsday” reputation.
• Reasons for Surfacing: According to Ocean Conservancy, an environmental advocacy group, oarfish typically surface when they are sick, disoriented, dying, or occasionally breeding, not due to impending seismic activity.
• Habitat: These remarkable creatures usually inhabit the mesopelagic zone, living 660 to 3,300 feet beneath the ocean’s surface, where sunlight is minimal.
• Rarely Seen: Due to their deep-water habitat, these silvery, ribbon-like fish with distinctive red, crest-like dorsal fins are rarely seen by humans.
• Increased Sightings: The Tamil Nadu sighting is part of a concerning global trend of increased oarfish appearances in recent months, with other sightings reported in Mexico, Tasmania, and California.

(Source: IE & HT)