<img class="styles__noscript__2rw2y" src="https://dsx.weather.com//util/image/w/img_8175_1.jpg?v=at&w=485&h=273&api=7db9fe61-7414-47b5-9871-e17d87b8b6a0" srcset="https://dsx.weather.com//util/image/w/img_8175_1.jpg?v=at&w=485&h=273&api=7db9fe61-7414-47b5-9871-e17d87b8b6a0 400w, https://dsx.weather.com//util/image/w/img_8175_1.jpg?v=ap&w=980&h=551&api=7db9fe61-7414-47b5-9871-e17d87b8b6a0 800w" > Pictured here is the "night shark" that was captured and released off the coast of Daytona Beach, Florida. (FWC Fish and Wildlife Research Institute) (FWC Fish and Wildlife Research Institute)

A very cool and rare shark was discovered off the coast of Daytona Beach last week.

A pair of anglers, Jamie Calkins and Nick Metakes, hooked the shark in about 1,400 feet of water . They noticed that the shark had an odd appearance and consulted with Florida Fish and Wildlife Research Institute biologists, who determined that the shark was a Carcharhinus signatus — more commonly known as the night shark.

The FWC Facebook page notes that shark's distinguishable features include a “pointed snout and large green eyes.” The hooked shark measured around seven to eight feet long.

<img class="styles__noscript__2rw2y" src="https://dsx.weather.com//util/image/w/unnamed_41.jpg?v=at&w=485&h=273&api=7db9fe61-7414-47b5-9871-e17d87b8b6a0" srcset="https://dsx.weather.com//util/image/w/unnamed_41.jpg?v=at&w=485&h=273&api=7db9fe61-7414-47b5-9871-e17d87b8b6a0 400w, https://dsx.weather.com//util/image/w/unnamed_41.jpg?v=ap&w=980&h=551&api=7db9fe61-7414-47b5-9871-e17d87b8b6a0 800w" > Another view of the 'night shark' caught in Florida last week. (FWC Fish and Wildlife Research Institute) (FWC Fish and Wildlife Research Institute)



This particular species of shark is a tropical species that is found in “deeper offshore waters” and rises up to feed during the night, hence the name.

The Florida Museum of Natural History says this species is being targeted commercially off the northeast coast of Brazil, with trappers desiring its fins and meat.

"In 30 years working with shark species, I have never seen one alive," FWC biologist Doug Adams said on the group’s Facebook page. "They reside in deep water and are encountered by the swordfish fleet and other fisheries operating in offshore deep water."

FWC noted that the fishermen protected the shark by keeping it in the water and releasing it after photos were snapped.