BFAR: Oarfish sightings not omen for quakes
Sightings of giant oarfish washed ashore do not necessarily mean that an earthquake may occur, according to the head of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources in Central Visayas (BFAR) -7, as these events have been causing apprehensions from locals
BFAR-7 Director Dr. Allan Poquita said in an interview that there is no sufficient study or research that could support the notion associating sightings of giant oarfish to possible occurrence of earthquakes.
“There is no specific study that could directly say that if you observe an oarfish along the coasts, then earthquakes might happen.
No, there is no enough study that could prove that,” he said.
He explained that an oarfish is a deep-sea fish dwelling near the sea bottom and would most likely appear on the surface of the water if its habitat is being threatened, such as being harmed by predators, or if they feel movement in the sea bottom.
But Poquita was quick to point out that this is not necessarily reason enough for people to panic, especially amid assumptions that these creatures surfacing from the deep sea might be warnings of a looming natural disaster.
He said some may be seen floating near the water surface and washed ashore particularly when they are already sick or dying.
Poquita said it is however different in Japan since people there believe that appearance of an oarfish indicates a possible occurrence of an earthquake.
Many stranded oarfish were previously spotted in several coastal villages in the country this year, one of which was found washed up on the shores of Danao City, Cebu in January.
Amid the appearances, a magnitude 6.7 earthquake recently struck Surigao in Mindanao region that caused apprehension among locals that these sightings might indeed be forewarnings of earthquakes.
Miasco/JBB