Courtenay-Latimer discovered and preserved the first living coelacanth specimen known to Western science.
On December 23, 1938, Marjorie Courtenay-Latimer examined Goosen’s catch and identified an extraordinary, large blue fish. Despite prevailing beliefs that such species were extinct, she recognized its uniqueness and arranged for its careful preservation. Later identified as the coelacanth, Latimeria chalumnae, her actions brought international scientific focus and established a new chapter in ichthyology.