Oarfish found on Dunedin beach 'not a harbinger of doom'
An oarfish that recently washed up on Dunedin's Aramoana Beach is likely not a "harbinger of doom", but it is "certainly an unusual sight and a special one", the Department of Conservation (Doc) says.
A reader sent the Otago Daily Times photos of one of the rare deep-sea fish after it washed ashore at Aramoana earlier this week.
Sightings of the long, ribbon-like fish often prompt talk of "doomsday fish", or recollections of Japanese folklore, in which sightings of oarfish were believed to be signs of imminent earthquakes or tsunamis.
However, Doc marine species manager Malene Felsing said "as for being a 'harbinger of doom' — that's more myth than marine biology."
"In some cultures, oarfish have been linked to folklore and natural disasters, but there's no scientific evidence to support those beliefs," she said.
"Sometimes these stories resurface because the fish are so rarely seen and have an almost otherworldly appearance."
Dr Felsing said oarfish sightings in New Zealand were "very rare".
The deep-sea fish usually lived at depths of 200m to 1000m, and only seemed to wash up onshore when they were unwell or dying.
"While they're not unheard of in our waters, they're certainly an unusual sight and a special one."
The reader said they found the fish near Bear Rock one June 3.
"I reckon it would have been 3-4 metres long. I don't believe it's a harbinger of doom, and I have never seen one before."
Dr Felsing said temperate and tropical oceans worldwide, including around New Zealand, provided a habitat for the oarfish, but they were more commonly encountered in the northern hemisphere.
"Because they live in such deep water, they're rarely seen alive, which adds to their mystery and appeal."
Doc typically did not get involved in strandings of deep-sea fish such as oarfish, unless there was some sort of risk posed to people or other species.
"However, they are fascinating specimens, and any sighting is a great opportunity to learn more about our marine biodiversity."
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