15-foot oarfish washes ashore on Catalina Island

SAN PEDRO, Calif. -- Scientists are excited about the rare discovery of a 15-foot oarfish that washed ashore on Catalina.

Annie MacAulay, founder of the educational non-profit Mountain and Sea Adventures, rushed over to see the oarfish when she heard the news.

"I've lived on the island for over 20 years, and I'm on the water all the time ... and I've never seen one," MacAulay said.

Oarfish usually spend their time deep below the surface.

Back in the old days, sailors used to think it was a sea serpent. And in Japan, there are some people who believe the oarfish can predict earthquakes.

PHOTOS: 15-foot oarfish found floating off Catalina Island