{"id":533204,"date":"2026-03-13T07:19:10","date_gmt":"2026-03-13T07:19:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/533204\/"},"modified":"2026-03-13T07:19:10","modified_gmt":"2026-03-13T07:19:10","slug":"no-doomsday-for-cabo-san-lucas-after-rare-double-oarfish-encounter","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/533204\/","title":{"rendered":"No ‘doomsday’ for Cabo San Lucas after rare double oarfish encounter"},"content":{"rendered":"

When two serpent-like oarfish washed ashore alive last week in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, there was more excitement than fear.<\/p>\n

The deep-sea creatures were long and slender, with crimson-colored fins. But the fish were in distress and posed no threat. (See footage below.)<\/p>\n

\"Serpent-like<\/p>\n

Serpent-like oarfish on beach in Cabo.<\/p>\n

The oarfish, discovered by Monica and Katie Pittenger<\/a>, were shoved back into the sea in an admirable rescue effort.<\/p>\n

While that could have been the end of the story, the phrase “doomsday fish” appeared in several headlines regarding the encounter.<\/p>\n

ALSO: Surreal footage shows giant whale shark along Costa Rica shoreline<\/a><\/p>\n

This struck a nerve in Cabo San Lucas because the Los Cabos region, at Baja California\u2019s tip, was still trying to alleviate concerns about travel in the aftermath of cartel-related violence that erupted Feb. 22 on the Mexican mainland.<\/p>\n

That unrest, sparked by the Mexican army\u2019s killing of a major cartel leader, did not reach Cabo San Lucas.\u00a0But headlines about the unrest, primarily in Puerto Vallarta, impacted all of Mexico just weeks before spring break<\/a>.<\/p>\n

On Monday, The Cabo Sun<\/a> posted a story that began, in part: “The recent sighting of two oarfish washing up on the coast of Baja California Sur has gone viral internationally, and with it, the ancient legends that dub this species the dreaded \u2018Doomsday Fish\u2019 have resurfaced.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Cabo<\/p>\n

Cabo beachgoers attempt to rescue oarfish.<\/p>\n

Oarfish are sometimes referred to as \u201cdoomsday fish\u201d because, according to Japanese folklore, strandings warn of impending earthquakes and tsunamis. But such legend is not backed by science.<\/p>\n

The Cabo Sun described the “viral beach rescue,” touched on the “doomsday fish” mythology, and explained to prospective tourists “why there is absolutely no reason to cancel your trip.”<\/p>\n

Oarfish strandings occur sporadically in certain locations around the world, including the state of Baja California Sur, and typically involve dead or ailing specimens.<\/p>\n

This article originally appeared on For The Win: No ‘doomsday’ for Cabo San Lucas after rare oarfish discovery<\/a><\/p>\n