Table of Contents
- 1 To be confused with sea snakes
- 2 Only filmed alive for the first time in 2008
- 3 Study shows no connection to earthquakes
- 4 * Considering the potential impacts of climate change and human activities on deep-sea ecosystems, what steps can be taken to ensure the conservation of oarfish and other vulnerable deep-sea species?
They look frightening and are considered a harbinger of the end of the world: oarfish. The huge deep-sea creatures only rarely come up from the dark ocean depths. The third such fish has now been spotted in the USA in just a few months.
To be confused with sea snakes
The bony fish, which are up to nine meters long, look like sea snakes at first glance, says Frable. They have silver, scaleless skin, large eyes and an unusually shaped mouth. A bright red dorsal fin extends from the head to the tip of the tail.
The Scripps researchers hope that the rare finds will provide further information about the mysterious fish. They took samples, froze them and carried out tests.
Little is known about oarfish. They live at depths of up to 900 meters, feed primarily on krill and are found in tropical and temperate waters worldwide, including in the Mediterranean. But how big is the population? What dangers are they exposed to? How do they behave in their habitat? Very little is known about this.
Only filmed alive for the first time in 2008
Sightings of oarfish are very rare – and when they do, the animals are usually already dead. According to the Scripps Institute, only 22 oarfish have been recorded washing ashore in California since 1901. There are a few sightings on beaches around the world every year, says Frable. In 2008, a research team succeeded in filming a live oarfish for the first time using a submersible.
The researchers cannot give a clear answer as to why three fish washed up in California in a short space of time. For example, this could have something to do with changing ocean currents, climatic events or simply a growing population of oarfish off the coast of California, says Frable. The cause of death is also still a mystery.
Study shows no connection to earthquakes
The snake-like fish, sometimes referred to as doomsday fish, have had seafaring legends for centuries. In Japan, the old stories were retold after more than a dozen oarfish were found on beaches in the years before the massive 2011 earthquake.
So could the fish really be a harbinger of natural disasters? “No connection whatsoever,” says Frable. He points to a study conducted in Japan a few years ago. Researchers compared the occurrence of earthquakes with the sightings of stranded deep-sea fish between 1928 and 2011. They found no correlation. “This Japanese folklore may be considered superstition,” they write.
But the myths about oarfish are probably not that easy to dispel. For Frable, the reputation of animals also has something good. “People talk about these fish and learn more about the diversity of marine animals in the oceans,” says the fish specialist happily.
* Considering the potential impacts of climate change and human activities on deep-sea ecosystems, what steps can be taken to ensure the conservation of oarfish and other vulnerable deep-sea species?
## Open-Ended Questions for a Discussion on Oarfish
This article provides a great starting point for a discussion about oarfish and the mysteries surrounding them. Here are some open-ended questions, divided into thematic sections, to encourage further exploration and diverse perspectives:
**1. The Enigma of Oarfish:**
* What makes oarfish so fascinating and mysterious to us?
* Given their deep-sea habitat, how can we learn more about their behavior, diet, and social interactions in their natural environment?
* What kind of research could be conducted to better understand oarfish population dynamics and potential threats they face?
**2. The Significance of Recent Sightings:**
* What are some possible explanations for the increase in oarfish sightings along the California coast? How might climate change or ocean currents play a role?
* Could the increased sightings be a sign of a growing oarfish population, or are there other factors at play?
* What implications could these sightings have for our understanding of deep-sea ecosystem changes?
**3. The Myth and Reality of Oarfish:**
* Why do you think oarfish have become associated with earthquakes and natural disasters? How do cultural beliefs and folklore shape our perception of animals?
* Can scientific evidence ever fully dispel deeply ingrained superstitions? What techniques can be used to bridge the gap between tradition and science?
* How can we use the fascination surrounding oarfish to raise awareness about the importance of protecting marine biodiversity and the interconnectedness of our planet?
**4. The Role of Citizen Science:**
* How can ordinary people contribute to scientific understanding of oarfish and other deep-sea creatures? What tools and platforms can facilitate citizen science contributions?
* What ethical considerations should be taken into account when engaging in citizen science initiatives involving wildlife observation and data collection?
* How can we encourage a sense of wonder and responsibility towards the ocean and its inhabitants
Through these open-ended questions, a discussion can delve deeper into the complex world of oarfish, separating myth from fact while inspiring curiosity and appreciation for the mysteries of the deep sea.
