Scientists have discovered a new species of ghost shark that lives in deep ocean waters near Australia and New Zealand.

A new species of ghost shark or “spookfish” was discovered lurking in the deep, dark waters off the coast of New Zealand. The Australasian narrow-nosed spookfish ( Harriotta avia) is exclusive to New Zealand and Australia’s waters and is part of a group of cartilaginous fish that are closely related to rays and sharks called chimaeras.

Dr Finucci and other researchers from New Zealand's National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (Niwa) found the creature in an area of ocean floor known as Chatham Rise, which lies to the east of New Zealand. Ghost sharks typically live at depths of up to 2,600m (1.6 miles).