“Doomsday Fish” Spotted Near Mexico Beach: What It Means!
So, get this: a group of beachgoers at Playa El Quemado in Baja California Sur had the chance of a lifetime when they stumbled upon an oarfish, humorously dubbed the “doomsday fish.” You know, that long, serpentine creature that’s considered an omen of impending disaster? Yeah, that one. Robert Hayes recorded the surreal moment, featuring the vibrant fish flailing about in shallower waters—a sight that doesn’t happen every day!
The baffled beachgoers couldn’t believe their eyes. One guy dropped an exclamation that this fish “has almost never been seen live,” and it turns out he’s not exaggerating. Oarfish are usually deep-sea dwellers, opting for the luxury of ocean depths over sun-soaked shorelines. According to the Ocean Conservancy, their close encounters with humans usually indicate something’s not right—often due to illness or disorientation. Fun fact, in coastal California, there was a notable spike in reports of oarfish bodies washing ashore, raising eyebrows among marine biologists.
Ever heard the legend? Oarfish sightings have been heralded as harbingers of earthquakes. Legend has it that they emerge before seismic events as a sign from higher powers. In fact, right before Japan’s devastating earthquake in 2011, a slew of oarfish had been spotted. Fast forward to August 2024: mere days after another oarfish sighting near Los Angeles, a 4.4-magnitude quake rattled the city. Coincidence? You decide!
Ben Frable from the Scripps Oceanography Marine Vertebrate Collection mentioned that these strange phenomena might connect to shifting ocean conditions. Think El Niño and La Niña cycles possibly throwing deep-sea creatures off their game and straight onto our beaches. Last fall, another oarfish washed up on a California beach, adding to a growing list of strange marine activity. Our oceans are indeed changing, and these sightings may be a clue about what lies beneath—or more shockingly, what’s ahead.
Keep your eyes peeled for more surprise visitors from the deep, because what happens in the ocean doesn’t always stay there!
Sources: Celebrity Storm Wire and People Magazine, Ocean Conservancy, Scripps Oceanography
