18-Foot-Long Oarfish Discovered off the Coast of California

Last weekend science instructor Jasmine Santana was snorkeling near Catalina Island in California when she stumbled upon the 18-foot-long carcass of an oarfish. Fellow instructors at the Catalina Island Marine Institute—a marine biology educational program for youths—helped Santana drag the remarkably intact giant fish ashore. It is now being preserved for educational display. The oarfish is the longest bony fish alive and specimens as long as 50 feet have been reported.

photo via Catalina Island Marine Institute