Goblin shark filmed in the wild twice, study confirms
Researchers recorded the deep-sea species on video in two locations in the Pacific Ocean. The sightings mark the first peer-reviewed confirmation of live goblin sharks in their natural habitat.
abcnews.go.comResearchers recorded and confirmed video of the goblin shark in the wild on two separate occasions, a study published in the Journal of Fish Biology said. The first sighting occurred in 2019 when a remotely operated vehicle operated by the Ocean Exploration Trust filmed the shark near Jarvis Island in the Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument.
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The second sighting took place in 2024 along the slope of the Tonga Trench, about 1,250 miles southwest of the first location. The goblin shark, or Mitsukurina owstoni, belongs to a shark lineage that dates back roughly 125 million years. It is known for jaws that extend outward to capture prey and a long snout covered in sensory organs that detect electrical signals from potential food sources.
Sightings and confirmation The 2019 footage captured the shark at a depth of about three-quarters of a mile. The animal quickly departed after the vehicle approached, according to a scientist who was aboard the vessel at the time. The 2024 footage was obtained using baited cameras in a separate research effort.
Both videos underwent peer review, distinguishing them from earlier unconfirmed recordings.
Habitat and conservation implications The confirmed observations extend the known geographic range of the species across the Pacific Ocean. Researchers said the animals appear to use seamounts and trench slopes as habitat. Scientists noted that additional deep-sea exploration may provide more information on the species' behavior and population status.
They added that such data could support conservation planning as commercial activity expands into deeper waters.
