‘Alien’ shark spotted by the coast of popular tourist hotspot in Gran Canaria

By ESTHER MARSHALL

Published: 09:30 BST, 5 May 2025 | Updated: 10:08 BST, 5 May 2025

An unusual and rare shark has been spotted off the shore of Gran Canaria, leaving local fisherman stunned. 

The goblin shark was seen swimming off the coast of San Cristobal in the Canary islands by fishermen, Marcos Hernández and Ramón Santana.

The pair captured the deep-sea shark on video as it hovered in the water near their boat.  

Known as Mitsukurina owstoni, goblin sharks are usually found deep in the ocean and have been known to dive as far 3,000 feet/914m below the surface. 

Sometimes referred to as a ‘living fossil’, the sharks are best known for their extended jaw and elongated beak.

These features give the goblin shark an otherworldly appearance.

Marcos and Ramón were fishing at a depth of around 900m/2,952 feet when they spotted the creature. 

An unusual and rare shark has been spotted off the coast of Gran Canaria. A pair of fishermen captured the deep-sea shark on video as it hovered in the water

Known as Mitsukurina owstoni, goblin sharks are usually found deep in the ocean and have been known to dive as far 3,000 feet/914m below the surface

They were hunting for hake and deepwater perch at the time, as reported by What’s The Jam.

According to local press, this marks the first confirmed sighting of this species in these particular waters.

Marcos revealed that he and Ramón, who are both from the area, had ‘no idea what it was’ when they first spotted the goblin shark.

He said: ‘When it came up, we had no idea what it was.

‘At first, we thought it was a swordfish because of the snout but then we realised it wasn’t.

‘It had leathery skin and after looking online, we understood what it really was.’

The fishermen captured the goblin shark to take a photo before releasing it back into the ocean.

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‘Alien’ shark spotted by the coast of popular tourist hotspot in Gran Canaria

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