A goblin shark (Mitsukurina owstoni), considered a living fossil by scientists, was caught by a trawler off the coast of Miura, Japan. The 1.3-meter, 4-kg fish is a rare bottom-dwelling species of shark. Catching the shark in the relatively shallow waters around the mouth of Tokyo Bay is considered highly unusual.

Goblin shark

One defining characteristic of the goblin shark is its elongated snout. The goblin shark's teeth closely resemble those of a known fossil species of shark, earning it the nickname of "living fossil."

Katsumi Suzuki, 42, a fisherman working at Kami-Miyata Port in Miura City, says he caught the shark while net-fishing for monkfish in 350-meter deep water. Yokohama City Aquarium and Yokohama Hakkeijima Sea Paradise Aqua Museum official Takayuki Shishikura, 42, says, "This shark demonstrates the abundance of sea life in the waters around Tokyo Bay."

[Source: Yomiuri Shimbun]