A set of scientists and researchers from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrations (NOAA) Okeanos Explorer have claimed the discovery of what they think could be an entirely new species of octopus.

The creature was filmed by the crew on 27 February 2016 off the coast of Hawaii and was described as ghost-like by the crew because of its pale appearance due to the lack of pigment cells.

The octopuss white appearance has led it being dubbed Casper the Friendly Ghost on social media. The Okeanos Explorer found the octopus by accident when they launched their remotely operated vehicle (ROV) to collect geological samples from the sea floor.