March 17, 2004 — Tanzanian fishermen have caught a coelacanth, a living fossil that dates back to before the time of the dinosaurs, a senior conservation official said on Tuesday.

"Coelacanth is a rare species of fish, which the world of science regarded as extinct," Tanzanian Marine Parks and Reserves Manager Chikambi Rumisha told AFP.

Coelacanths appear in fossils dating back to over 360 million years ago, but none have been found in fossils younger than 80 million years.

In December 1938, said Rumisha, South African marine scientists suddenly came across the coelacanth, leading to increased scientific interest about the creature.

Rumisha said that Tanzanian fishermen caught the rare fish on Sunday around Kilwa area, some 200 kilometers (125 miles) south of Dar es Salaam, and surrendered it to government authorities.

"This was the second time within six months that the fishermen from the same area have caught coelacanth," Rumisha said.

He said the fish was protected species under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species, or CITES, and pointed out that the existence of rare species of marine life in the Indian Ocean close to the Tanzanian coast indicated that the area was rich in biodiversity.

Adding that Tanzanian fishermen recently found a dugong, or sea cow, on Mafia Island, Rumisha said: "This is testimony that the area is rich in marine biodiversity and concerted effort (is) now needed in conservation of these endangered creatures."

More info:

Name: Coelacanth (Latimeria chalumnae)

Primary Classification: Coelacanthiformes (Coelacanths)

Location: West Indian Ocean.

Habitat: Cool, deep waters.

Diet: Mostly fish and squid.

Size: Up to six feet in length and nearly 200 lbs in weight.

Description: Dark brown to blue in color; bony scales; sail-like dorsal fin; four lower fins on fleshy stalks; hollow vertebrae; three-lobed tail.

Cool Facts: It has a special organ in the front of its skull that detects electric fields generated by other sea creatures. Its scales excrete mucus, and its entire body continuously exudes oil.

Conservation Status: Critically Endangered

Major Threat(s): Accidental catch by fishermen.