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Oarfish Washes Ashore in Tamil Nadu as Global Sightings Surge

Researchers hope to pinpoint environmental triggers behind the ribbon-like fish’s sudden coastal appearances.

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Giant Oarfish with strange shark bites found in Taiwan waters in 2023 (Representational)
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Overview

  • The mid-June sighting in Tamil Nadu follows confirmed oarfish discoveries in Australia, New Zealand and Mexico’s ja CaCalifornia Sur over the past month.
  • Oarfish typically dwell 600 to 3,000 feet below sea level and surface only when they are sick, dying or disoriented.
  • Folklore in Japan and other coastal regions holds that oarfish surfacing predicts earthquakes, yet scientists find no evidence of a direct link.
  • Researchers are probing whether rising ocean temperatures, pollution and deep-sea mining are disturbing oarfish habitats and driving them toward shore.
  • Measuring up to 30 feet long, these ribbon-like fish are the longest bony species but pose no threat to humans.