A Rare Sight on the Beach
The beaches of Playa El Quemado in Baja California Sur, Mexico, witnessed a strange phenomenon that left locals both amazed and fearful. A giant oarfish, commonly known as the "Doomsday Fish," was spotted swimming near the shore on Sunday, February 9. This rare event was documented by Robert Hayes, who captured a video of the fish moving in shallow waters.
In the footage, one of the onlookers can be heard exclaiming in amazement, "That's an oarfish! Oh my God, it's so rare to see one alive." As some people approached the fish to take pictures, one person noted that he had previously seen an oarfish measuring 24 feet long, adding that some can grow up to 30 feet.
An Attempt to Save the Fish
According to Hayes, the fish "swam directly towards us, raising its head about two inches above the water surface." Despite three attempts to guide it back into deeper waters, it returned to the shore each time. One beachgoer, who held the fish for examination, speculated that it might be injured and considered taking it to a marine specialist for further assessment.
What Is the Oarfish?
The oarfish is a rare deep-sea creature that usually remains far from human sight. According to the Ocean Conservancy, spotting this fish near the surface often indicates that it is sick, dying, or suffering from some form of distress.
The "Doomsday Fish" Legend and Its Link to Natural Disasters
The oarfish has earned the nickname "Doomsday Fish" due to an ancient belief that its appearance on shores is an omen of impending natural disasters, such as earthquakes. This belief gained traction after a notable incident in Japan in 2011, when 20 oarfish washed ashore months before one of the country's most devastating earthquakes. Similarly, in August 2024, an oarfish was spotted on California’s coast, and just two days later, the region experienced a 4.4-magnitude earthquake.
Environmental Changes and Their Role in This Phenomenon
Researchers suggest that the increasing sightings of oarfish on beaches could be linked to climate change and environmental disruptions. Ben Friebel, director of the Vertebrate Fish Group at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, pointed out that this phenomenon might be caused by shifts in marine conditions, such as El Niño and La Niña cycles, which push these fish out of their natural deep-sea habitats.
Repeated Oarfish Sightings in Recent Years
The appearance of an oarfish in Mexico is not an isolated incident. In the past few months, a dead oarfish was found on a beach in Encinitas, California, in November 2024, while another was spotted in La Jolla Cove near San Diego in August of the same year.
Are We Facing a New Warning?
While some scientists dismiss a direct link between oarfish sightings and earthquakes, previous occurrences have left many people uneasy. The lingering question remains: Is this repeated appearance of the "Doomsday Fish" merely a coincidence, or is it a sign of deeper environmental changes that could lead to future natural disasters?