In a startling turn of events, the enigmatic deep-sea creature known as the oarfish has appeared in four separate locations around the world in the space of just twenty days. These sightings have reignited public fascination—and concern—with the ribbon-like leviathan often dubbed the “doomsday fish”.
The Sightings
Between May and June 2025, reports emerged of oarfish surfacing or washing ashore in regions as diverse as Australia, New Zealand, India and the U.S. west coast.
For example, a specimen estimated at roughly three metres long washed up on Ocean Beach near Strahan on Tasmania’s wild west coast.
Another sighting was recorded in Baja California Sur, Mexico, where a live oarfish appeared in shallow water—an extremely rare occurrence for this deep-dweller.
The sheer number of appearances in such a short time span, coupled with the fish’s reputation, has stirred both scientific interest and popular myth.
What Is an Oarfish?
Oarfish (genus Regalecus glesne among others) are among the most mysterious of sea creatures. They are the longest bony fish in the world, growing up to 8–10 metres (or more) in length, and normally live in the deep ocean—hundreds of metres beneath the surface.
With their long, slender, silvery bodies and serpentine fins, they float vertically in the water column and feed on tiny crustaceans and plankton.
Because they seldom come near the surface, each time they do, it draws attention.
The Doom-Myth Connection
These unusual appearances have revived an old belief: that oarfish are harbingers of disaster. In Japanese folklore, for instance, the oarfish is called the “messenger of the sea god’s palace” (Ryūgū-no-tsukai) and has been associated with earthquakes and tsunamis.
After the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake in Japan, dozens of oarfish washed ashore—helping cement the legend in popular culture.
But the scientific community is much more cautious. A 2019 study declared the relationship between oarfish appearances and seismic events to be an “illusory correlation”.
In other words: fascinating, eerie—but not proven.
What Might Be Going On?
If these rare fish are popping up more than usual, what could be driving that? Experts suggest a number of possibilities:
The oarfish may be sick, injured or disoriented when they surface or wash ashore.
Changes in ocean conditions—such as temperature shifts, currents, or other ecological stressors—may push deep-sea species into shallower waters.
Some sightings might simply be a matter of increased observer coverage, better video/phone cameras, or more active reporting via social media.
According to marine biologist Assoc Prof Neville Barrett from the University of Tasmania, “we’re just not out there,” meaning we rarely explore the large depths where these creatures dwell, so each sighting is truly exceptional.
Why It Matters
From a science standpoint: these animals remain little-known. Better documentation of sightings, samples and environmental context could yield clues about deep-sea ecosystems, species health and ocean changes.
From a public standpoint: the dramatic sight of a 6–8 metre “sea serpent” surfacing stirs wonder—and worry. While there’s no evidence that oarfish appearances reliably forecast earthquakes or tsunamis, they still trigger alarm in communities near the coast.
What You Should Know
If you see an oarfish or an unusual deep-sea creature, do not touch or disturb it. It could be injured, diseased or stressed.
Report the sighting to a local marine-biology or conservation group—photos and location details may help scientists.
Do not interpret the sighting as a sure sign of impending disaster. While the folklore is rich, the evidence is lacking.
It’s a reminder of how much of our oceans are poorly explored and how changes in ocean health may show up in weird, unexpected ways.
In short: the recent surge of oarfish sightings is real, remarkable and deserving of attention. But fear of doom? That remains in the realm of myth. For now, we can marvel at these silent giants of the deep—mysterious, majestic and still largely uncharted.