A long-held belief in Japan that sightings of deep-sea fish foretell major earthquakes is simply a superstition, according to a research team from two universities.
The team, consisting of researchers from Tokai University and the University of Shizuoka, reached the conclusion after comparing cases over around 90 years in which deep-sea fish were found beached, or caught in fishing nets, alongside records of earthquakes.
The belief that deep-sea fish sightings are connected with earthquakes has its roots in a mermaid legend found in "Shokoku Rijin Dan," a collection of strange tales published in the 18th century.