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Over the weekend, a team of kayakers and snorkelers stumbled upon an extraordinary sight while swimming at La Jolla Cove in San Diego. They discovered a dead sea serpent, identified as an oarfish, an incredibly rare deep-sea creature. 

According to Lauren Fimbres Wood, a spokesperson for the Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California, San Diego, this marks only the 20th time an oarfish has been spotted in California waters since 1901.

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The Oarfish: An Omen of Disaster?

The appearance of an oarfish is steeped in ominous folklore, particularly in Japanese culture. The elusive creature is believed to be a harbinger of impending doom. 

Known as "ryugu no tsukai" or "messenger from the sea god's palace," the oarfish was traditionally thought to rise from the deep as a warning of natural disasters, especially earthquakes.

 This belief dates back to 17th century Japan, and sightings of the oarfish were reported ahead of the devastating 2011 Tohoku earthquake and Fukushima nuclear disaster.

However, scientists, including Hiroyuki Motomura, a professor of ichthyology at Kagoshima University, have stated that there is no scientific evidence linking these sightings to seismic activity.

Discovery of a Dead Sea Serpent

Since only 20 oarfish have washed up in California over the last 125 years, making each discovery a unique opportunity for scientific study. 

Ben Frable, a fish expert at Scripps Institution of Oceanography, emphasized the rarity of this event, noting that the deep-sea creature typically dwells at depths ranging from 700 to 3,280 feet below the surface and rarely comes up to shallow waters.

Mystery of the Oarfish

A necropsy on the recently discovered oarfish is currently underway as scientists seek to determine the cause of death.

 According to Motomura, the oarfish likely rises to the surface when its physical condition deteriorates, often resulting in the creature being found dead. Despite its mysterious appearance, the oarfish's death is likely unrelated to any impending natural disasters.

The discovery has attracted significant attention, with the oarfish set to become part of Scripps’ Marine Vertebrate Collection, one of the largest collections of deep-sea fish in the world.

 The preservation of this specimen will allow scientists to study it further, offering valuable insights into a species that remains largely enigmatic.

Reporting Marine Discoveries

Encounters with unique marine creatures, like the oarfish, are rare but important. Taking these creatures home is prohibited, as their preservation is vital for ongoing scientific research.

Should you come across such a creature on a California beach, it is crucial to alert local lifeguards and contact the Scripps Institution of Oceanography at (858) 534-3624 or via email at [email protected].