Goblin shark found in the Gulf of Mexico

A fisherman came face to face with this deep-sea creature that feeds on squid and fish.

We don’t know much about the Goblin shark (Mitsukurina owstoni), a deep-sea shark species with pink skin that is considered a living fossil.

But thanks to Captain Carl Moore, a 63-year-old fisherman, that is about to change.

Moore found a Goblin shark on April 19, 2014. He reported that it measured 4.5 metres, but didn’t take dare use the tape measure. “I was going to take the tape measure, then he flashed around again,” said Moore to CNN. “I said ‘Forget the measurement. That thing’ll eat me up!’.”

This is the second Goblin shark to be found in the Gulf of Mexico, the first one was recorded in 2000.

Moore took pictures of the shark before returning it to the sea and has given them to Dr John Carlson, who works at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

"We don't know a lot about deep water fauna," Carlson said. "We know little about (goblin sharks) -- how long they live, how fast they grow."

Goblin sharks specimens have been found in Japan, the Indian Ocean and South Africa, explained Carlson. They live at ocean depths greater than 1,500 metres and, because of its size and razor-sharp teeth, it’s believed that they don’t have many predators.