Rare Oarfish Washes Ashore in Mexico, Sparking Superstitions and Scientific Curiosity

In mid-February 2025, beachgoers at Playa El Quemado in Baja California Sur, Mexico, encountered a rare live oarfish near the shore. Robert Hayes, who captured the event on video, reported that the oarfish repeatedly returned to the beach despite attempts to guide it back into deeper waters. This unusual behavior has sparked discussions and concerns among locals and online communities. 

Oarfish are deep-sea dwellers, typically residing at depths between 660 and 3,280 feet. Their appearances near the surface are uncommon and often associated with folklore predicting natural disasters, such as earthquakes and tsunamis. However, scientific studies have found no direct correlation between oarfish sightings and seismic events.

The recent sighting in Mexico has reignited these superstitions, especially given historical instances where oarfish appearances preceded significant earthquakes, like the 2011 event in Japan. Researchers suggest that such strandings may result from changes in ocean conditions, possibly linked to broader environmental shifts. 

While these events are rare, they offer valuable opportunities for scientific observation and public interest in deep-sea marine life.

SEE IT! The rarely seen deep-sea known as an 'oarfish' has washed ashore in Mexico!

Legend has it that the creature, known as a 'doomsday fish,' only surfaces from the depths of the ocean when something catastrophic is going to happen. ???? pic.twitter.com/U5j68io7jx — Breaking911 (@Breaking911) February 18, 2025