NationStates Jolt Archive


Rare Shark Found Off Japanese Coast

Ifreann
25-01-2007, 15:29
Frilled shark off Japan coast

Published: 24 Jan 2007
By: John Sparks
http://www.channel4.com/news/media/2007/01/week_4/24_shark_l.jpg
A rare prehistoric shark has appeared off the coast of Japan.

The monster from the deep was first spotted by a fisherman swimming in the shallows off Shizuoka prefecture. After the local marine park authorities were called to the site, this 1.6m long animal was identified as a deep sea frilled shark, whose habitat is usually 600 metres underwater.


Fossil records can be found of this shark up to 50m years ago, and like another famous deep sea denizen, the C lancanth, is called a "living fossil". Unfortunately this shark died soon after capture.
http://www.channel4.com/news/special-reports/special-reports-storypage.jsp?id=4448

If its habitat is 600 metres underwater, I wonder what it was doing in some shallows?
Dododecapod
25-01-2007, 15:39
http://www.channel4.com/news/special-reports/special-reports-storypage.jsp?id=4448

If its habitat is 600 metres underwater, I wonder what it was doing in some shallows?

Likely, dying. A number of deep sea creatures rise towards the surface if they're ill or injured - though it's often the pressure differential that kills them in the end.
Turquoise Days
25-01-2007, 15:41
Likely, dying. A number of deep sea creatures rise towards the surface if they're ill or injured - though it's often the pressure differential that kills them in the end.

600 meters is deep, but not too deep, I believe.
The BBC has a cool video of it swimming around - seriously freaking weird.
Linky (http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediaselector/check/player/nol/newsid_6290000/newsid_6294000?redirect=6294035.stm&news=1&bbwm=1&nbram=1&nbwm=1&bbram=1)
Actually, the video has a dead one that didn't survive the rise - maybe its the speed of ascent that's the killer.
Cluichstan
25-01-2007, 15:41
I saw this thing on CNN yesterday. Damn freaky-lookin'.
LiberationFrequency
25-01-2007, 16:16
Makes you wonder what other freaky prehistoric stuff is down there
Lunatic Goofballs
25-01-2007, 16:17
Unfortunately this shark died soon after capture.

And then they ate it. *nod*
Cluichstan
25-01-2007, 16:17
And then they ate it. *nod*

Mmm...prehistoric sushi...
Farnhamia
25-01-2007, 16:18
I think the question is, do we cook it in a clear broth or maybe make some sort of chowder out of it?
Lunatic Goofballs
25-01-2007, 16:19
Mmm...prehistoric sushi...

You know that 'I wonder what it tastes like' was one of the first questions asked. :)
Cluichstan
25-01-2007, 16:25
You know that 'I wonder what it tastes like' was one of the first questions asked. :)

Hell, I was wondering that myself.
Greater Somalia
25-01-2007, 18:09
This kind of creature has been spotted off the coast of Australia in 1998. Not a first time seeing this creature but its a rare thing.
Cluichstan
25-01-2007, 18:10
This kind of creature has been spotted off the coast of Australia in 1998. Not a first time seeing this creature but its a rare thing.

Did you eat it? If so, how'd it taste?
HC Eredivisie
25-01-2007, 18:12
This kind of creature has been spotted off the coast of Australia in 1998. Not a first time seeing this creature but its a rare thing.Well, since it had a name already, it probably wouldn't be the first time they found it:D
JuNii
25-01-2007, 18:58
http://www.channel4.com/news/special-reports/special-reports-storypage.jsp?id=4448

If its habitat is 600 metres underwater, I wonder what it was doing in some shallows?
it was reported that it probably was brought up and into the shallows by currents.