Have you ever heard of the oarfish? It is a species that has been sighted in the waters of Tasmania and then in Aramoana and Birdlings Flat in New Zealand. Some people associate the appearance of these fish with bad omens, even calling them ‘the fish of the apocalypse.’ However, scientists have calmed this situation. It is true that it is a species with a terrifying appearance; elongated bodies, about eight meters long, with silver and red scales. Japanese culture refers to them as ryugu no tsukai, and they believe that their appearance signifies the arrival of natural disasters.
Even Andrew Stewart, fish curator at the Te Papa Tongarewa Museum in New Zealand, describes the species as a “magnificent creature from another world.” For his part, Nick Ling, fish ecologist at the University of Waikato, explains that they live in the depths of the open sea, which is why it is rare to find them. Also joining this explanation was Dr. Neville Barrett from the Institute of Marine and Antarctic Studies at the University of Tasmania, who stated to ABCC News Australia, “It’s just a random event, there is no real evidence that there is any relationship”.
Oarfish
With elongated bodies, eight meters long and red and silver scales, oarfish are truly terrifying. They were first seen in Tasmania, then in Aramoana and Birdlings Flat in New Zealand. Japanese culture refers to them as ryugu no tsukai, “fish of the apocalypse,” and associates them with the arrival of natural disasters like earthquakes or tsunamis. According to their culture, they are messengers from the deep sea, and their presence is tied to the arrival of bad news and ill omens.
The fish curator at the Te Papa Tongarewa Museum in New Zealand, Andrew Stewart, went so far as to describe this species as “otherworldly.” Only 20 specimens of this species have been sighted, but their study has not been possible as they were found dead on the shore, and the seagulls arrived first.
Are they really messengers from the depths of the ocean?
Not only Japanese culture, but anyone who sees a oarfish would say that it is a fish of the apocalypse. However, in this culture, the belief that they are messengers from the depths of the sea is deeply rooted. They firmly believe that it is a sign that precedes bad news. Specifically, they believe that these are warnings of earthquakes and tsunamis. However, the scientific community is trying to calm things down. According to Andrew Stewart, there are multiple studies that show there is no relationship between the appearance of individuals of this species and the occurrence of tsunamis or earthquakes, or any other natural disaster.
For his part, Nick Ling, one of the fish ecologists at the University of Waikato, explained that “They live in the open sea at considerable depths, and people simply do not find them. That is why they are almost impossible to study.” In this way, he justifies that there is no direct relationship between their presence and natural disasters, and that it is nothing more than a myth or popular belief.
Science vs cultural beliefs
More voices from scientists in the area have made statements clarifying the same as the previous colleagues, and that there is no relationship whatsoever between the oarfish and natural disasters. The Doctor from the Institute of Marine and Antarctic Studies at the University of Tasmania, Neville Barrett, made the following statements to ACB News Australia, “It’s just a random event, there is no real evidence of any relationship. I imagine a major earthquake could disturb midwater fish and stun them, causing some to rise to the surface, but that would happen at the same time as the disaster”.
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