Two live observations of the goblin shark (Mitsukurina owstoni) have been documented in the central Pacific Ocean, extending the species' known depth and geographic range. The findings, based on footage captured in 2019 and 2024, were published in the Journal of Fish Biology.
Observation Details
2024 Sighting in the Tonga Trench
- Recorded on the slope of the Tonga Trench at a depth of 1,997 meters (approximately 6,550 feet).
- The observation was captured by a baited camera on a bottom lander during an expedition aboard the research vessel Dagon.
- Footage lasted approximately 20 seconds and was obtained after more than 50 days of continuous deep-sea recording.
2019 Sighting near Jarvis Island
- Recorded at a depth of 1,237 meters (approximately 4,058 feet) at an unnamed seamount northwest of Jarvis Island.
- The footage was captured by a camera on the remotely operated vehicle Hercules during an Ocean Exploration Trust expedition.
- The observation was identified upon later review of footage.
Significance of Findings
- The depth of the 2024 observation is approximately 700 meters deeper than any previously recorded live sighting of the species.
- The 2019 observation, located in the central Pacific, extends the species' known geographic range from previously documented areas off the western United States, Australia, Japan, and parts of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans.
- The 2024 observation extends the recorded depth range for lamniform sharks by 108 meters.
Background on the Species
- The goblin shark is the only living representative of its family (Mitsukurinidae), a lineage that dates back approximately 125 million years.
- Prior to these observations, live sightings of the species were limited to individuals accidentally caught on fishing lines that died shortly after being brought to the surface.
- The species is characterized by a long, flat snout and a protrusible jaw.
Research Team and Published Work
- The research was conducted by scientists from the Minderoo-UWA Deep-Sea Research Centre at the University of Western Australia and the University of Hawaii at Manoa.
- The findings were published in the Journal of Fish Biology.
Statements from Researchers
"The observation in the Tonga Trench was unexpected... the footage demonstrates the elusiveness of the species."
— Professor Alan Jamieson, Director of the Minderoo-UWA Deep-Sea Research Centre and co-author of the study
"The expanded range allows the species to be included in regional management and biodiversity lists... highlighting the limited understanding of deep-ocean ecosystems."
— Lead author Aaron Judah, University of Hawaii at Manoa