DEEP SEA CREATURES: GEOGRAPHY
NEWS: Strange events in ocean warn! Are oarfish, whales, and anglerfish predicting environmental disruptions
WHAT’S IN THE NEWS?
Recent sightings of deep-sea creatures like the anglerfish and oarfish in shallow waters have sparked concern, with possible links to climate change, seismic activity, and oceanic climate cycles. While folklore associates these sightings with impending disasters, scientific explanations focus on environmental shifts driving these migrations.
Recent Sightings of Deep-Sea Creatures in Shallow Waters:
• Increase in Sightings:
There has been a recent surge in sightings of deep-sea creatures, such as the anglerfish and oarfish, in shallow waters, which is unusual given that these species typically inhabit extreme depths. These sightings have sparked interest and concern due to the unexpected appearance of such creatures close to the ocean's surface, far from their usual deep-sea habitats.
The Black Sea Devil Anglerfish:
• Appearance and Features:
• Bioluminescent Lure: The black sea devil anglerfish is known for its bioluminescent lure, a distinctive feature used to attract prey. The lure is located at the tip of a dorsal spine that protrudes above its mouth, resembling a fishing pole. The bioluminescence helps it to attract smaller marine creatures towards its mouth, where it can then be captured.
• Razor-sharp Teeth: The anglerfish has razor-sharp teeth, which are crucial for capturing and holding onto prey once it gets close enough to the lure.
• Habitat:
• This species is typically found in the bathypelagic or “Midnight Zone,” which is located at depths of approximately 1,000 to 4,000 meters (3,300 to 13,100 feet), where sunlight cannot penetrate. These depths are extremely dark and cold, and conditions are far different from those in shallow waters.
• Anglerfish can also be found in both pelagic (open water) and benthic (sea floor) zones around the world, although they prefer the deepest, darkest parts of the ocean where their unique adaptations allow them to survive.
• Feeding Mechanism:
• The anglerfish has a large, flexible mouth and a distensible stomach, meaning it can swallow prey up to twice its own size. This adaptation is especially useful in the deep ocean where food is scarce, allowing the fish to take advantage of any available prey, no matter how large.
• Sexual Dimorphism:
• Some species of anglerfish exhibit extreme sexual dimorphism, meaning males and females differ drastically in size and function.
• Males are significantly smaller than females and, in certain species, have an unusual reproductive behavior. Males may attach themselves permanently to females, fusing their tissues with hers. This parasitic relationship allows the male to remain with the female and provide sperm when required, as the male becomes essentially a reproductive organ attached to the female.
• Recent Sighting:
• In February 2025, a Black Sea Devil Anglerfish was filmed alive near the surface off the coast of Tenerife, which is highly unusual. These fish are typically found at great depths, so their appearance near the surface is a noteworthy anomaly.
The Oarfish:
• Physical Description:
• The oarfish is a long, ribbon-like deep-sea fish that can grow up to 36 feet (11 meters), making it the longest bony fish. It has a distinctive silver body with a red dorsal fin that runs the length of its body. Its slender, elongated form is often described as resembling a ribbon, hence the name "oarfish."
• Swimming Technique:
• The oarfish uses amiiform swimming, a technique where it undulates its dorsal fin while keeping the rest of its body straight. This undulating motion is characteristic of the oarfish and allows it to glide efficiently through the water. This unique form of swimming differentiates it from many other fish species, which rely on more conventional tail propulsion.
• Diet:
• The oarfish’s diet primarily consists of zooplankton, which includes tiny euphausiids (krill), shrimp, other crustaceans, and sometimes small fish, jellyfish, and squid. The oarfish feeds by using its long body to capture these tiny organisms in the water.
• Cultural Significance:
• The oarfish has been historically linked with natural disasters in folklore. In Japanese folklore, the oarfish is referred to as Ryūgū no tsukai, which translates to “Messenger of the Sea God.” According to myth, oarfish sightings are considered omens of impending earthquakes or tsunamis, leading to a cultural association between these fish and seismic activity.
• Recent Sightings:
• Multiple oarfish were spotted on Japanese beaches before the 2011 Fukushima earthquake and tsunami, which further reinforced the belief in their connection to seismic events.
• More recently, oarfish sightings have been reported in Baja California and the Canary Islands, sparking renewed concerns about potential seismic activity in these areas.
Scientific Explanations for Deep-Sea Creatures’ Migration:
• Climate Change and Warming Oceans:
• Climate change is one of the primary factors driving changes in ocean conditions. The ocean absorbs around 90% of the excess heat caused by global warming, leading to increased temperatures in both surface and deep-sea waters.
• As ocean temperatures rise, deep-sea species like the anglerfish and oarfish may be migrating to shallower, cooler waters to find more favorable living conditions. Warming ocean waters and decreasing oxygen levels may be pushing deep-sea species to more hospitable environments closer to the surface.
• Underwater Seismic Activity:
• Some researchers suggest that seismic activity—such as underwater earthquakes or volcanic events—could be affecting deep-sea species. Seismic shifts might release gas bubbles, electrostatic charges, or toxic compounds like hydrogen peroxide, which could disorient deep-sea organisms. These environmental disturbances could force marine life to migrate to surface waters as they seek more stable conditions.
• El Niño and La Niña Effects:
• El Niño and La Niña are oceanic climate cycles that cause significant fluctuations in ocean temperatures, weather patterns, and marine life behavior. These cycles can cause unpredictable movements in marine species, including deep-sea creatures. During such climatic events, ocean currents and temperatures shift, and deep-sea species may be forced to move to different depths or regions to find stable environments.
• Increased Human Observation:
• While rare strandings of deep-sea creatures may have occurred throughout history, advancements in technology and social media have made these occurrences more visible. More people now have access to the ability to capture and share such events, increasing public awareness and speculation about the reasons behind these sightings. The increased visibility has amplified interest in these rare events, leading to more reports and theories about their causes.
Conclusion:
The increasing sightings of deep-sea creatures such as the anglerfish and oarfish in shallow waters are likely due to a combination of factors, including climate change, seismic activity, and oceanic climate cycles like El Niño and La Niña. While folklore often associates these sightings with impending natural disasters, scientific explanations suggest that environmental changes are the primary drivers of these phenomena. Advancements in technology and the global interconnectedness brought about by social media have also made these rare occurrences more visible and widespread.
Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/science/strange-events-in-ocean-warn-are-oarfish-whales-and-anglerfish-predicting-environmental-disruptions/articleshow/118678501.cms#:~:text=Unusual%20ocean%20events%20like%20the,and%20create%20warnings%20of%20disaster.