Doom Fish in California: What does its sighting mean?

The oarfish, often referred to as the «doom fish» due to its association with ominous events, was spotted in Encinitas, California.

This marks the third sighting of the species in the state within three months and the 22nd sighting in a century.

The 2.7-meter-long specimen was discovered dead at Grandview Beach on November 6.

Alison Laferriere from the Scripps Institution of Oceanography found the fish washed ashore.

«Doom Fish»: A Treasure for Scientific Research and Conservation

The NOAA Fisheries Service retrieved the specimen for analysis and preservation.

«This fish provides an opportunity to learn more about its biology and adaptations,» said Ben Frable.

In August, a 3.6-meter-long oarfish was found in good condition at La Jolla Cove.

It was sent to the Scripps Marine Vertebrate Collection, one of the largest in the world.

In September, another degraded specimen was discovered at Huntington Beach, according to Scripps.

The causes behind the recent sightings and deaths remain a mystery.

Frable suggested that changes in oceanic conditions could be a contributing factor.

The phenomenon coincided with red tide events and Santa Ana winds.

Described as a «sea serpent,» the oarfish can grow up to 9 meters long.

It inhabits the mesopelagic zone, reaching depths of up to 900 meters—an ecosystem that remains largely unexplored.

In Japan, mythology links the oarfish to earthquakes and tsunamis, according to Atlas Obscura.

This belief gained traction following the 2011 tsunami, when over 20 oarfish were sighted prior to the disaster.

Despite popular myths, scientific evidence does not support a connection between oarfish sightings and natural disasters.

Recent studies have found no correlation between their appearances and catastrophic events.

«It’s a unique opportunity to study evolutionary adaptations,» said Dahiana Arcila.

The specimen has been frozen for genomic studies and future preservation, Frable explained.