A rare oarfish, known as the "doomsday fish," was spotted alive off Baja California Sur, Mexico. A tourist, Robert Hayes, encountered the fish, typically dwelling in deep waters (200-1000m), near the surface. Oarfish are rarely seen alive; they're often found dead after storms.
This sighting follows similar incidents, including a black seadevil in the Canary Islands. Some cultures, particularly in Japan, associate oarfish with impending earthquakes, fueled by events like the 2011 Japan earthquake preceded by multiple oarfish sightings. However, a 2019 study found no direct correlation. Scientists suggest ocean temperature fluctuations and ecosystem changes may drive these appearances.
The observed oarfish was smaller than average, with the species typically reaching 3 meters, but recorded up to 11 meters. The injured fish was taken for study, adding to the limited knowledge of this mesopelagic species.