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Rare Oarfish Washes Ashore on Tasmania’s West Coast

CSIRO researchers have begun genetic and ecological analyses of the intact specimen to expand knowledge of this elusive deep-water species.

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Die Art fasziniert die Menschen schon seit Jahrhunderten wegen ihrer besonderen Form und Gestalt (Symbolbild).

Overview

  • Sybil Robertson spotted the silvery oarfish while walking at Ocean Beach and found the nearly intact carcass measuring several meters long.
  • Citizen Scientists of Tasmania members quickly identified the fish as Regalecus glesne after photos were shared in their Facebook group.
  • Regalecus glesne can grow up to eight meters and normally inhabits depths of 150–1000 meters, making live sightings and beachings extremely rare.
  • CSIRO teams secured the carcass and collected multiple tissue samples before seabirds could scavenge it, preserving material for laboratory tests.
  • Researchers Aim to use the specimen’s data to improve understanding of oarfish biology and dispel folklore linking their appearances to natural disasters.