New Species of Ghost Shark Discovered in New Zealand Waters

Scientists identify the Australasian Narrow-nosed Spookfish, a genetically distinct species living in the deep Pacific Ocean.

The Australasian Narrow-nosed Spookfish was found in the Chatham Rise, east of New Zealand's South Island.
This ghost shark, named Harriotta avia, has a distinctive long snout making up half its body length.
Ghost sharks are cartilaginous fish related to sharks and rays, living at depths of up to 2,600 meters.
The species is unique to the waters of Australia and New Zealand, previously thought to be globally distributed.
Named in honor of the discoverer's grandmother, the species highlights the need for further deep-sea research.