The recent viral picture showing seven fishermen in Tamil Nadu holding the massive 30-STOP Orfish, the age of old superstitions and restored the global interest in the elusive deep marine creature known as “Doomsday Ryba”. Observation has become part of an unusual wave of recent global appearances Oarfish – often associated in folklore with natural disasters such as earthquakes and tsunami.
An increase in global observations
Tamil Nadu Oarfish is one of the at least four main observations reported around the world in recent weeks:
2 June 2025-on the Australian beach was found an OARFISH 9 feet.
At the beginning of June 2025 – Two Oarfish appeared in New Zealand: one near Dunedin and the other, headless, near Birddling, near Christchurch.
These events follow other important performances in the last year:
August 2024-12-foot oarfish was seen from San Diego in California, just two days before the earthquake by 4.4 Magnite, Los Angeles hit.
September 2024 – Another emerged near Tiwi Islands in the northern Australian territory.
Superstition and past earthquake
Oarfish has long been immersed in folklore. In the Japanese tradition, it is called “Ryugu No Tsukai” or “Messenger from the Palace of the Sea”. Many people believe that its superficial presets underwater by seismic activity.
Historically, some of these beliefs coincided with devastating shocks:
2011-Japanese: Several observations of the Oarfish were reported before the catastrophic earthquake and tsunami 9.1-Magnitude, which killed more than 18,000 people.
2017-Filipins: Two Oarfish appeared before the Surigao earthquake, which caused several deaths and injured hundreds.
July 2023-Tai-Wan: Divers met with Oarfish days before the earthquake of 7.2 Magnitude, Taiwan is the strongest in 25 years, left nine dead and more than 900 injured.
These incidents also rooted Oarfish’s reputation as a harbinger of disasters.
No scientific evidence – but mounting curiosity
Despite repeated coincidences, scientists warn against the connection of OARFISH observation directly with seismic activity. Fish usually live in deep waters – between 600 and 3,000 feet below the surface – and rarely are seen if they are not ill, dying or disoriented.
Environmental disruption: a possible factor
Naval experts suggest that the increasing temperature of the ocean, pollution and deep sea mining can disturb Oarfish habitats and bring them closer to the coast.
Respect, alarm and ancient beliefs
Known for their shimmering, ribbon-like bodies and impressive sizes-some reaches up to 36 feet long-awarding poisoning remains rare and mysterious. Their sudden performances often create a combination of miracle, alarm and superstition, especially in coastal communities throughout Asia and the Pacific.
Whether he considers the mythical messenger, a climate victim or simply a deep marine curiosity, Oarfish continues to develop the debate every time when he emerges-with questions not only about the earthquake but about the health of our oceans.
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