It was by accident that MacAulay happened upon the dead oarfish, which had washed ashore on one of Los Angeles’ coastal isles, Catalina Island. She discovered the fish Monday while taking kids on an educational kayaking trip off the island shores, she told CNN.

She hadn’t seen an oarfish in her 20 years residing on the island — until this week. MacAulay is president and CEO of Mountain and Sea Adventures, a nonprofit group promoting environmental awareness.

“It was such a coincidence that I was here today,” MacAulay told the Orange County Register about her discovery. She usually handles other responsibilities for the group, she said.

“I’m doing a lot of behind-the-scenes stuff, so I’m not always at camp,” she told the newspaper.