Rare Goblin Shark Caught By Fisherman In Gulf Of Mexico

Rare Goblin Shark Caught By Fisherman In Gulf Of Mexico
Rare Goblin Shark Caught By Fisherman In Gulf Of Mexico
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A rare goblin shark was caught by a shrimp fisherman off the Florida Keys.

The goblin shark is rarely seen on the surface or in shallow coastal waters.  Discovering it in the Gulf of Mexico was a very rare occurrence and this is only the second time on record one has been seen there, according to the NOAA Fisheries Service.

“This is only the second confirmed sighting in the Gulf; the majority of specimens are found off Japan or in the Indian Ocean and around South Africa,” NOAA shark expert John Carlson said.

The goblin shark, measuring 18-feet-long, was caught by fisherman Carl Moore.

“I didn’t even know what it was,” Moore said. “I didn’t get the tape measure out because that thing’s got some wicked teeth, they could do some damage.”

The mouth of the goblin shark opens up to reveal razor-sharp teeth. NBC News likens its teeth to those seen in the alien from the sci-fi film Alien.  The goblin shark is identified by the flat, elongated snout that points off from the top of its head.

Moore took photos of the peculiar, prehistoric looking shark before releasing it back into the Gulf of Mexico.  He views the catch as the highlight of his 50 years of shrimp fishing, reports GrindTV.

“I’m probably one of the only 10 people who’ve seen one of these alive,” Moore said.

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