This week, three ethereal oarfish have washed up along the coasts of Australia and New Zealand, prompting concerns linked to the myth of the "doomsday fish." Despite this phenomenon, scientists reassure that there is no evidence connecting oarfish appearances to natural disasters. Found in various locations including Dunedin and Christchurch, these oarfish are celebrated for their otherworldly beauty. Oarfish are deep-sea dwellers, and their rare sightings, albeit tied to folklore, are not indicative of impending doom, as established by a 2019 study.
Andrew Stewart, the curator of fishes at the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, described the ethereal beauty of oarfish, highlighting their stunning colors and otherworldly appearance. He noted that although efforts were made to collect one of the specimens, seagulls had destroyed their heads, which contained key scientific features. The disappointment arose from the lost opportunity to study aspects like earbones and teeth, as these features are essential for understanding their biology.
A/Prof Nick Ling, a fish ecologist from the University of Waikato, pointed out that the sightings of oarfish are rare due to their deep-sea habitat. He explained that oarfish live in the open ocean at significant depths, making encounters with them nearly impossible. Despite their captivating appearances, he emphasized that there has historically been no proven connection between oarfish sightings and natural disasters.
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