Dead Oarfish Washes Ashore in Mindoro Days After PH Earthquakes

A dead oarfish measuring approximately 11 feet long was discovered Tuesday afternoon along the shoreline of Dalahican, Barangay San Jose, Roxas town, the first sighting of the deep-sea creature in the coastal village.

A Mindoreño fisherman found the oarfish swimming weakly toward shore before it died, according to a Facebook post by Roxas LGU, Oriental Mindoro.

Residents have since buried the fish.

The sighting comes days after a series of earthquakes struck Cebu (6.9 magnitude) on Sept. 30, 2025 and Davao (7.6 magnitude) on Oct. 10, 2025, caused by fault line movements, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology.

Oarfish, which typically inhabit depths of 600 to 3,000 feet, have long been associated with earthquake predictions in folklore, particularly in Japan where they are called “ryugu no tsukai” or “messenger from the sea god’s palace.”

Some experts believe deep-sea fish like oarfish may sense underground movements before seismic events.

However, scientific evidence for this connection remains inconclusive.

Marine biologists note that oarfish strandings can occur for several reasons unrelated to earthquakes, including illness, injury, changes in ocean currents, or disorientation.

A recent study published in the Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America found no statistically notable relationship between deep-sea fish strandings and earthquakes in Japan, despite examining decades of data.

Scientists identify several established causes for oarfish beaching.

Marine biologists say dying or sick oarfish lose their ability to regulate depth and may drift to shallower waters.

The species is poorly understood due to its deep-water habitat, making it difficult to determine normal versus abnormal behavior.

Storm activity and strong ocean currents can also push weakened animals toward shore.

Moreover, changes in water temperature or food availability may drive the fish to unfamiliar depths where they become vulnerable.

The oarfish is the world’s longest bony fish, with some specimens exceeding 30 feet.

Sightings remain rare due to their deep-ocean habitat, making each appearance a subject of both scientific interest and cultural speculation.

Photo: courtesy of Roxas LGU Public Information Office