Theory emerges after fish from dark legend washes up on beach
Scientists are analysing the body of a three-metre-long 'doomsday' fish which was discovered dead on a beach.
A giant oarfish has been photographed washed up on a rocky beach. It’s the second time the remains of this rarely encountered species have been documented off the southern Californian coast this year, and scientists are working on a theory as to why.
For centuries, dark legends have linked the species to natural disasters like earthquakes, leading to it being colloquially referred to as the “doomsday fish”. There has been speculation the deep sea species could be brought to the surface during underwater tremors, although this has not been scientifically proven.
After the first oarfish was discovered in August near San Diego, California, a 4.4-metre magnitude earthquake was detected in Los Angeles, prompting some locals to discuss the superstition.
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'Devil wind' theory linked to 'Doomsday' fish death
The latest discovery occurred last week at Grandview Beach in San Diego County. The three-metre-long fish was discovered by a student at Scripps Institution of Oceanography, the institute that analysed the last specimen.
The body was collected and hauled to a research facility, where samples were collected to try and understand more about the fish. While the cause of death is yet to be determined, the Institute has formed two possible theories.
Its marine vertebrate collection manager Ben Frable said, “it may have to do with changes in ocean conditions and increased numbers of oarfish off our coast. Many researchers have suggested this as to why deep-water fish strand on beaches.”
“Sometimes it may be linked to broader shifts such as the El Niño and La Niña cycle but this is not always the case. There was a weak El Niño earlier this year.”
Frable also noted the beaching coincided with the recent red tide, a type of algal bloom that produces toxins that can kill people, marine life and birds.
The coast was also struck by strong, extremely dry Santa Ana winds, also known as "Devil winds" which can cause cold water to rise from below the surface layer of the ocean, and trigger large waves. In popular culture they're rumoured to affect people's moods, and during the hotter months they're known to fuel out-of-control wildfires.
"Many variables could lead to these strandings,” Frable added.
In September, two Aussie fisherman caught an oarfish off the Top End. The long, slender fish is rarely seen in Australian waters
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