5-meter-long oarfish caught off coast of eastern Taiwan after temblors strike

Taiwan News
Date: 02020/11/060
By: Keoni Everington, Taiwan News, Staff Writer

TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwanese fishermen on Friday (Nov. 6) caught a massive oarfish (Regalecus glesne) nearly five meters in length off the coast of eastern Taiwan, on the same day two earthquakes struck the area.

The oarfish was 490 centimeters long and weighed about 45 kilograms. It was caught off the coast of Dong'ao in Yilan County.

The owner of Fumei Huo Seafood Restaurant (富美活海鮮餐廳) purchased the fish for NT$16,000 (US$560). Chen Kuo-pin (陳國濱) was cited by Liberty Times as saying that it was the longest "Earthquake Fish" (地震魚) he had ever seen.

Oarfish are called "Earthquake Fish" in Taiwan because according to local lore, they surface from the deep ocean just before a major earthquake. Chen said that one kilogram of meat from the fish can sell for NT$400 and is "more tender than tofu" and suitable for steamed cooking.
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