A nearly 13-foot-long oarfish washed ashore dead on Komodo Island, Indonesia, on Tuesday, reviving ancient folklore that associates the deep-sea creatures with impending natural disasters. The carcass was discovered by a visitor on Pink Beach around 7:30 a.m. and was subsequently carried inland by beachgoers.
In Japanese folklore, oarfish are known as 'doomsday fish,' believed to be messengers from the sea god's palace, with their appearance on shore portending earthquakes, tsunamis, or other catastrophes. This belief has been fueled by anecdotal instances, such as the washing ashore of nearly two dozen oarfish months before the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami in Japan, which killed approximately 20,000 people.
Local officials, including Sahlan, head of Telone Hamlet in Sekaroh Village, acknowledged the public's alarm due to the fish's legendary association with disasters. However, Sahlan stated that residents remained calm and that no panic ensued, despite the online frenzy surrounding the discovery.
Marine authorities have dismissed the omen as a myth, emphasizing that there is no scientific evidence to support a link between oarfish appearances and natural disasters. However, some researchers suggest that environmental factors contributing to the fish's stranding warrant further investigation.
Past sightings have fueled these ominous claims. In 2017, oarfish were reportedly seen before an earthquake in the Philippines, and smaller incidents in recent years have been noted in Tasmania, India, and California. In February, American tourists in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, encountered two oarfish struggling in shallow waters. The tourists, along with others, assisted in returning the fish to the sea.
Oarfish are typically found in deep ocean waters, and when they surface or wash ashore, it is often an indication that they are sick, injured, or dying. Adult oarfish can grow to lengths of approximately 36 feet and weigh close to 600 pounds.