Large billfish appears at Ayangue beach in Santa Elena

A large fish, preliminarily identified as a billfish, appeared near the shore at Ayangue beach in Santa Elena on Sunday, August 23, 2026. Videos circulating on social media show the animal, which can reach lengths of up to 5 meters, moving and splashing water near the shoreline.

The Salinas Fire Department confirmed the sighting, noting that such species can weigh approximately 300 pounds. While some observers suggested the fish was captured by divers and subsequently washed ashore, the exact cause of its arrival remains unknown.

Experts suggest rising ocean temperatures may play a role. The Oceanographic and Antarctic Institute of the Navy (INOCAR) reported water temperatures of 26.4 °C near Santa Elena in July. These elevated temperatures, linked to the approaching El Niño phenomenon, can disorient marine species or force them to seek cooler, deeper waters, sometimes leading them toward the shore.