18-foot-long oarfish carcass discovered!

[truebluefan]

The discovery of an 18-foot oarfish off Catalina Island thrilled the staff at Catalina Island Marine Institute. Now they’re wondering: What do you do with the carcass of a very rare 18-foot-long fish?

Jeff Chace, program director of the institute, said it took about 15 people on Sunday to lug the serpent-like "leviathan" onto shore after it was discovered dead in about 20 feet of water.

"It just amazed me," he said.

Giant oarfish are the longest of the bony fish species -- topping out at around 56 feet in length – but even at 18 feet, a carcass can be a challenge for scientists.

Read more http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/...ound-catalina-island-20131015,0,5192122.story

 

[truebluefan]

Second 'sea serpent' found off Californian coast

A giant oarfish has been found on a Californian beach - the second such discovery in less than a week.

The carcass of the 4.3m (14ft) long creature was spotted by a man snorkelling in waters close to the city of Oceanside.

Last week 15 people managed to drag a 5.5m (18ft) long oarfish to the shore of Santa Catalina island.

Read more http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-24620755