Researchers have recorded the first-ever footage of a healthy goblin shark swimming freely in its natural deep-sea habitat, providing valuable insights into one of the ocean’s most elusive species.

BulletsIn

• Scientists successfully captured the first confirmed footage of a live goblin shark swimming naturally in the deep ocean, marking a significant milestone in marine biology research.
• The discovery documents two separate encounters in the Central Pacific and offers unprecedented observations of the rare species in its undisturbed natural environment.
• The first sighting occurred near Jarvis Island in 2019 at a depth of approximately 1,237 metres, using a remotely operated underwater vehicle during a research expedition.
• Researchers later identified the significance of the recorded footage after reviewing archived material, confirming it as a healthy goblin shark in the wild.
• A second observation in 2024 within the Tonga Trench established a new known depth record for the species, extending its documented habitat by nearly 700 metres.
• The Tonga Trench encounter was captured using a remote baited camera system and expanded scientific understanding of the shark’s distribution across the Central Pacific.
• Goblin sharks are recognised for their elongated snouts, needle-like teeth, and distinctive appearance, with adults capable of reaching lengths of around 3.6 metres.
• Often described as a living fossil, the species represents the last surviving member of an ancient evolutionary lineage believed to date back approximately 125 million years.