‘Alien’ Rare Goblin Shark Spotted by Fishermen Near Gran Canaria Coast

A rare and strange-looking shark has been spotted near the coast of Gran Canaria, leaving local fishermen shocked. The unusual sighting took place off San Cristóbal, a fishing village in the Canary Islands. The deep-sea creature was identified as a goblin shark, a rarely seen species that lives far beneath the ocean’s surface.

The discovery was made by two local fishermen, Marcos Hernández and Ramón Santana, while they were out at sea last week. The pair were fishing for hake and deepwater perch when the creature appeared near their boat. They were at a depth of around 900 meters (2,952 feet) when the encounter happened.

The goblin shark, also known as Mitsukurina owstoni, is often called a “living fossil” because its appearance has remained unchanged for millions of years. These sharks are typically found in the deep ocean and are rarely seen near the surface. They can dive as deep as 3,000 feet (914 meters) below sea level.

What makes the goblin shark unique is its long, flat snout and its protruding jaw, which can extend forward to catch prey. These features give the shark a strange and eerie look, often described as otherworldly.

The fishermen said they had no idea what they were looking at when the shark appeared.

“When it came up, we had no idea what it was,” Marcos said. “At first, we thought it was a swordfish because of the snout, but then we realised it wasn’t. It had leathery skin and looked very unusual.”

Marcos and Ramón quickly took a video and photos of the creature so they could identify it later. After doing some research online, they discovered it was indeed a goblin shark. This marked the first confirmed sighting of the species in these waters, according to local media reports.

The two fishermen did not keep the shark. After capturing a few images and videos, they released it back into the ocean unharmed.

Experts are now interested in the sighting, as goblin sharks are not usually found in this region. Marine biologists say this could offer a rare chance to study the species further and learn about their movements and habitats. The presence of a goblin shark in the Canary Islands may also raise questions about changing ocean temperatures or currents that could be affecting deep-sea species.

The video taken by the fishermen is now being shared widely on social media and marine science platforms. Many people online are fascinated by the shark’s alien-like appearance and the rarity of the encounter.

The goblin shark remains one of the least understood sharks in the world. Sightings are so rare that every encounter adds valuable information for researchers.

For Marcos and Ramón, this will be a day they never forget.