Scientists amazed by accidental Gulf catch of second-ever goblin shark

[yuiyoshida]

Shrimpers fishing in the Gulf of Mexico have pulled up an incredibly rare, almost prehistoric looking goblin shark. It's only the second sighting of such a beast in the Gulf.

The freakish shark is one of the least-known of the shark family, usually living in deep waters off the coast of Japan. The goblin is so rare that the first Gulf sighting of one 10 years ago resulted in a scientific paper being written.

The new shark, estimated to have been 18 feet long, was accidentally hauled up by shrimpers off the coast of Key West, Florida.

The crew had a net down in 2,000 feet of water and were shocked when they pulled up the usual barrel-load of shrimp. Mixed into their catch was the bright pink giant, which preceeded to thrash around on deck.

"I didn't even know what it was," said lifetime fisherman Carl Moore. "I didn't get the tape measure out because that thing's got some wicked teeth, they could do some damage."

more:http://www.sfgate.com/news/nation-world/article/Scientists-amazed-by-accidental-Gulf-catch-of-5448545.php

[JoeyT]

1. IIRC the older they are the deeper they go,

so I wonder if the ones we're catching in shallow waters are going there to mate.

I'm glad the guy threw it back in the water.

[NV Whino]

2. Yeck!

Those are some nasty teeth.

[dipsydoodle]

3. Can you imagine

an 18 foot shark threshing around on the deck of a shrimper !

[Divernan]

4. I'm also glad they immediately released it.

"They are a very rarely seen animal that has not been studied enough, as soon as the news got out, I got more than 2 dozen requests for different measurements," said Shiffman noting that he also was very grateful it was released but at the same time sad that the details of the goblin will remain a mystery.

For Carl Moore, after 50 years of shrimp fishing, the shark is the highlight.

"The guys at NOAA said I'm probably one of only 10 people who've seen one of those alive," Moore said adding that there was no question in his mind about whether to release it.

"That's my ocean out there and anything in it concerns me..I know the value of trying to preserve things," Moore said.

[progressoid]

5. Soon to be starring in SHARKNADO 3!