Overview

• The 3-metre oarfish was discovered by Sybil Robertson on Ocean Beach near Strahan on Monday in relatively intact condition.
• CSIRO experts have collected tissue and bone samples to analyse the fish’s genetics, health status and potential causes of its beaching.
• Oarfish normally inhabit depths between 150 and 1,000 metres and rarely surface unless distressed or dying, making such strandings exceptionally uncommon.
• Marine ecologists emphasise that cultural beliefs linking oarfish sightings to earthquakes and tsunamis lack scientific evidence.
• Researchers plan to compare findings from this stranding with recent occurrences in California and Mexico to better understand deep-sea fish behaviour.