LUCENA CITY: An 11-foot-long oarfish was found washed ashore in Guinayangan town, Quezon province, on Wednesday (Feb 4).
Local radio-television programme “Kasama ng Kalikasan” (KNK) reported that a fisherman discovered the dead fish along the shoreline around 7.30am.
Personnel of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) in the area immediately coordinated with the Municipal Agriculturist Office (MAO) for assessment and proper handling of the specimen.
The scaleless, silvery fish measured about 3.59m in length and weighed approximately 22 kilogrammes.
Authorities said the fish was not fit for human consumption due to its condition and for public health safety. It was immediately transported to a designated burial site and properly interred.
Oarfish, also known as the “king of herrings,” was recognsed by the Guinness World Records in 2015 as the longest bony fish on record.
Mature oarfish can grow to an average length of about six metres.The fish gets its name from its long, ribbon-like body and elongated pectoral fins, which resemble oars. - Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN
