Questions around why a creature from the deep has washed up in Otago.

The 3.6 metre oarfish was found on Aramoana Beach on Monday afternoon.

The species was last spotted around Dunedin in 2015.

Otago University marine biologist Bridie Allan told Kate Hawkesby the fish caught the attention of everyone on the beach.

She considers herself  lucky to have seen it in the flesh.

The oarfish died after failed attempts to put it back to sea, and its body washed away.

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