Overview

• The deep-sea oarfish can reach lengths of up to eight meters and inhabits depths between 150 and 1000 meters.
• The specimen washed ashore at Ocean Beach near Strahan after being discovered by Sybil Robertson during a walk with her dog.
• Citizen Scientists of Tasmania identified the fish as an oarfish from photos posted in their Facebook group.
• CSIRO researchers collected samples from the intact carcass in coordination with local authorities to preserve it for study.
• Despite Japanese folklore that links oarfish strandings to impending disasters, experts say there is no scientific evidence supporting such claims.