national

Fish survives 8,000-km journey from Japan to America on boat washed away by tsunami

27 Comments
By Philip Kendall

Testament to the strength and versatility of nature, a fish that became caught in the bait box of a small fishing boat swept away by the tsunami that struck the northeast coast of Japan in 2011 has been discovered alive and well on the coast of Washington State.

Hitting land at the end of March this year, the striped beakfish managed to survive for more than two years adrift at sea, with its journey finally coming to an end when the runaway boat ran aground at Long Beach, Washington having traveled an incredible 8,000 kilometers across the Pacific Ocean.

The hardened voyager is believed to have survived on the remains of other fish, plants and minerals that were also caught up in the same water. It is now on display in Oregon’s Seaside Aquarium where it is fast becoming a popular attraction.

It is believed that after the discovery of the now famous fish, four other striped beakfish were discovered in the same boat, living in the dark, stagnant water. Unfortunately for them, these four were taken to Oregon State University for dissection and to have their age and exact species confirmed. It looks like that first little guy had more than one lucky escape.

This is not the first time that tsunami debris of this kind has arrived on the west coast of North America; just last month students in Vancouver collected 40 entire bags of fishing nets, tires and the like that had been swept away from Northeast Japan and ferried across the ocean.

Source: Karapaia

Read more stories from RocketNews24. -- Tsunami Survivors Share Their Stories -- Students Collect More Than 40 Bags of Tsunami Debris in Vancouver -- School Kids from Tsunami-Struck Town Visit US to Convey Thanks

© RocketNews24

©2024 GPlusMedia Inc.

27 Comments
Login to comment

Wow. Talk about the determination to live.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

An illegal immigrant, no less. Fry him! Or bake, if you prefer.

-2 ( +4 / -6 )

Or just plain lucky enough to have food suppply, as well as isolation from predators.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Poor little guy probably thought the universe consisted of a dark, few-meter square constriction. He must have been shocked to see light for the first time. I hope he enjoys the space and freedom of his new aquarium home.

3 ( +3 / -1 )

Perfect Hollywood Script!

4 ( +5 / -1 )

these four were taken to Oregon State University for dissection and to have their age and exact species confirmed.

Why?? Assuming it would be too expensive to ship them back to Japanese waters, why couldn't they all go to the aquarium? If one survivor can be a 'popular attraction' wouldn't five little survivors be 5 times more popular?

11 ( +13 / -3 )

Well now he/she will have a cushy life. No predators and lots of food and friends.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

I'd like to see the interview!

2 ( +3 / -1 )

"Unfortunately for them, these four were taken to Oregon State University for dissection and to have their age and exact species confirmed"

So is SSCS going to throw bottles at Oregon State?

0 ( +4 / -4 )

Can't wait to see how his father is going to rescue him from the aquarium!

4 ( +6 / -2 )

Seems to me that some people have watched Nemo too many times!

5 ( +7 / -2 )

Can't wait to see how his father is going to rescue him from the aquarium! This the father. Nemo is already in the aquarium.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Ossan: "So is SSCS going to throw bottles at Oregon State?"

Is their plan to sell them to restaurants for consumption? or are they doing actual science? I mean, since you brought up the subject.

Anyway, what a wicked little fish! I hope it gets the royal treatment for the rest of its life. Simply amazing.

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

You know this guy has to be featured on the next Finding Nemo movie..

3 ( +4 / -1 )

WTF?!?! Why did Oregon State need to dissect them?? What a bunch of twats! Let em go!! Let em go!!

0 ( +4 / -4 )

What Aquarium??? please read carefully

Unfortunately for them, these four were taken to Oregon State University for dissection and to have their age and exact species confirmed. It looks like that first little guy had more than one lucky escape.

They are going to dissect

0 ( +1 / -1 )

They survived all that just to be dissected... Must have been a traumatizing endeavour for the lot of them.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Free the 'Gill-fish four' !

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I don't know why the hell they would want to cut them up and test them... Anyway for the lucky dude have a nice life in your aquarium!

3 ( +3 / -0 )

@in_japan

You should read carefully. The surviving fish is in an aquarium.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

The surviving fish is in an aquarium.

One of the surviving fish is in an aquarium. Four others went on slabs.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Unfortunately for them, these four were taken to Oregon State University for dissection and to have their age and exact species confirmed.

What for? What is wrong with these people? Now we know for certain that any ETs arriving to say hi WILL be killed and dissected by the monsters in lab coats. I wonder if they work for the Japanese whaling body?

0 ( +3 / -3 )

This fish is a japanese national hero and obviously has the "samurai spirit". The government should commission an enormous bronze statue of it, and erect it in one of the tsunami-devastated towns - at taxpayers expense. It will bring hope to those still in emergency housing.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

The fish is parrot fish. I do not quite catch even among angler. It will be 70cm and larger. Thank you for protecting. From Japan

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

I found this to be a real-life heartwarming tale to share with my neice and nephew until the part where the others were taken to be dissected. What a pointless death for them after such a journey!

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Sorry people but one day you're going to have to grow up and face the fact that in the real world trained professional biologists and other scientists KILL and DISSECT living creatures to study them. That's how we obtain basic knowledge which comes prior to behavioral knowledge which MUST be obtained through observation. Ever see hose beautiful Audobon bird drawings? Every specimen was SHOT first.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

smithinjapanApr. 11, 2013 - 09:27AM JST Ossan: "So is SSCS going to throw bottles at Oregon State?" Is their plan to sell them to restaurants for consumption? or are they doing actual science? I mean, since you brought >up the subject.

Since you brought up the response, since when did "actual science" preclude use of the specimen in any manner afterwards? Especially when it's a requirement under the authority that allows the science in the first place? And in either case how does that justify illegal acts of violence?

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Login to leave a comment

Facebook users

Use your Facebook account to login or register with JapanToday. By doing so, you will also receive an email inviting you to receive our news alerts.

Facebook Connect

Login with your JapanToday account

User registration

Articles, Offers & Useful Resources

A mix of what's trending on our other sites