Rare Oarfish Caught off Sri Lanka Sparks Wave of Citizen Science

When fishermen off the southern coast of Sri Lanka pulled up their nets last week, they anticipated the usual catch—tuna, mackerel, perhaps a few squid. However, what emerged from the water left the entire village astonished: a silvery, ribbon-like fish over five meters long, its crimson dorsal fin shining in the sun. It was an oarfish—one of the ocean’s most elusive and mysterious creatures, often referred to as the “messenger of the deep.”

The oarfish, Regalecus glesne, is seldom seen alive. Residing at depths of up to 1,000 meters, it usually surfaces only when ill or dying, making sightings extremely rare. The last confirmed oarfish sighting in Sri Lankan waters was over two decades ago. This recent catch has therefore sparked not only local intrigue but also a surge of citizen science activity across the island.

Marine researchers swiftly teamed up with coastal communities to document and analyze the specimen before it could decompose. Using smartphone cameras, fishermen and students captured detailed footage, later shared through online platforms managed by the Ocean Research Institute of Sri Lanka. The data—measurements, tissue samples, and location coordinates—are now being added to a regional database on deep-sea biodiversity.

“This is a perfect example of how ordinary people can make extraordinary contributions to science,” said Dr. Nalin Perera, a marine biologist at the University of Ruhuna. “Without the quick thinking of the fishermen, this discovery would have been lost to the sea.”

The oarfish has long held a mythical status in maritime cultures. Its serpentine form and sudden appearances near coastlines have inspired legends linking it to underwater earthquakes and tsunamis. While scientists caution against such folklore, they agree that oarfish can provide valuable insights into deep-sea ecosystems and even environmental changes that bring them closer to the surface.

Following the discovery, Sri Lankan conservationists have launched an online campaign encouraging citizens to report unusual marine sightings. Within days, dozens of new submissions—from jellyfish blooms to rare shark species—poured in.

Beyond the headlines and folklore, the oarfish’s appearance has become something more enduring: a reminder that the ocean still holds vast secrets, and understanding them may rely on collaboration between scientists and those who live by the sea.

As the villagers gathered that evening to watch the giant fish being carefully examined under portable lights,

one fisherman remarked, “We’ve fished these waters our whole lives, but the ocean still surprises us.”

In that moment, the mystery of the deep seemed a little closer—and the spirit of discovery a little more shared.