Irish Fisherman Stunned After Hauling Up 'Dinosaur Fish' Thought to Be Extinct

An Irish fisherman got the shock of a lifetime when he pulled a living fossil from the deep; a monster fish that hadn't been seen in local waters for generations.

Photo of fisherman Declan O'Sullivan on his boat, the Trinity, holding a massive 6-foot-long Atlantic sturgeon fish, caught off County Kerry, Ireland. This prehistoric species, prized for caviar, was thought to be regionally extinct

Declan O'Sullivan, skipper of the Portmagee trawler the Trinity, was fishing off the coast of Valentia Island in County Kerry when his net grew heavy with an incredible catch. As he hauled it in, he was met with a sight that seemed to belong in a different era: a massive, six-foot-long sturgeon.

The fish was a rugged, ancient-looking creature, unlike anything he had caught before. Unsure of exactly what he had discovered, O'Sullivan did what any modern fisherman would do: he snapped pictures and sent them to an expert.

The expert, marine biologist Kevin Flannery, could hardly believe his eyes. "I nearly fell over," Flannery said. "To see this fossil species, this dinosaur fish, back in our waters is incredible."

This was no ordinary fish. It was a caviar sturgeon, a species that has survived for over 100 million years, making it a true prehistoric giant. But despite outlasting the dinosaurs, it couldn't survive the pressure of human appetite. Prized for its valuable caviar and associated with royalty, the sturgeon was fished to extinction in Irish waters decades ago. The last confirmed catch was all the way back in 1987.

For a species that has called these waters home for millennia, its recent absence has been a tragic and silent ending. The return of this lone, magnificent animal and a second one O'Sullivan swears he saw swimming just out of reach, is like a ghost from the deep returning to say hello.

It signals something conservationists have been hoping for: that it might be time for a comeback. The Irish Wildlife Trust is already pushing for a concerted effort to reintroduce species driven to extinction, naming the sturgeon as a top priority.

This rediscovery is a powerful reminder that nature is resilient. As conservationist Adrian Gahan noted, "Nature doesn't recognise borders. And neither should our conservation efforts... lost species can return."

So the next time you're looking out at the wild waters off the Irish coast, remember—you might just be gazing into a world where dinosaurs still swim.

Comments

The 10 Best Pet Sitting Apps of 2025: Compare Costs and Book Instantly

Trying to be a responsible dog owner is rewarding, but it’s also a huge commitment. Finding a last-minute dog walker for a late meeting, a trusted sitter for a vacation, or an affordable trainer can feel overwhelming. You need help that’s reliable, vetted, and available now. That’s where pet sitting apps come in. They connect you with a community of professional dog walkers, sitters, and trainers at the tap of a button. But which app is the right fit for your needs and budget? We’ve broken down the top ten platforms that are leveraging artificial intelligence and advanced technology to provide exceptional care for your pets. We also analyzed hundreds of user reviews, compared features, and tested platforms to bring you the most current information on finding reliable, tech-enhanced pet care. Whether you need occasional dog walking, overnight sitting, or specialized medical care, these apps combine human expertise with technological innovation to ensure your pet receives the best p...

How Much Does It Really Cost to Start a Catfish Farm in Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt in 2025?

After the Nigerian government hinted at a possible ban on fish importation , my inbox began to fill with a familiar question from would-be fish farmers in Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt: “Can I start a catfish farm now and do it for less?” It’s a timely concern. With import restrictions looming and demand for locally raised fish climbing, 2025 could be a turning point for Nigeria’s aquaculture industry. But while the opportunity is real, the path to profitability depends on where you set up, how lean your operations are, and whether you can balance cost-cutting with quality production. A Market on the Edge of Change Nigeria needs an estimated 3.2 million metric tonnes of fish annually. Yet local production meets barely 30% of that demand. The rest comes from imports mainly mackerel, sardines, and tilapia; worth over ₦500 billion annually. A potential import ban would create an immediate supply gap, and catfish is perfectly positioned to fill it. Already a staple in Nigerian homes and...

The Best Fish Feed in Nigeria for Catfish: Why Quality Matters

A few months ago, I visited a fish farm run by an ambitious aquapreneur who had high hopes for his homemade fish feed. His pond was large, his vision clear: this feed would cut costs, boost growth, and drive profitability. But within a week, disaster struck. Fish floated belly-up. Growth stalled. The numbers didn’t add up. The problem wasn’t the fish. It was the feed. The catfish were growing exactly as they were fed: poorly. Just as fish can’t flourish on empty calories, a farm can’t succeed on subpar feed. The right nutrition makes the difference between a thriving business and a sinking investment. In Nigeria’s competitive catfish farming industry, choosing the best feed isn’t just about cost, it’s about protein content, digestibility, floatability, and growth performance. The wrong feed leads to stunted growth, higher mortality, and lost profits. The right one maximizes yield, health, and market value. In this article, we’ll explore:...

Trojanpost