First in Situ Observations of the Goblin Shark Mitsukurina Owstoni

Authors

• Aaron B. Judah, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
• Alan J. Jamieson, The University of Western Australia
• Sarah R.D. Bingo, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
• Megan E. Cundy, The University of Western Australia
• David A. Ebert, San Jose State UniversityFollow
• Steven Auscavitch, Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History
• Harold K. Carlson, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
• Tiffany Nicole G. Cunanan, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
• Hayley B. Sims, The University of Western Australia
• Meagan Putts, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa

Publication Date

1-1-2026

Document Type

Article

Publication Title

Journal of Fish Biology

DOI

10.1111/jfb.70505

Abstract

We report the first live in situ observations of the iconic goblin shark (Mitsukurina owstoni) on a seamount near Jarvis Island in 2019 and on the slope of the Tonga Trench in 2024. Past observations are restricted to specimens hauled to the surface, resulting in limited knowledge of this species' ecology. These observations extend its known geographic and depth range considerably, and extend the depth range of lamniform sharks by 108 m. To further clarify habitat preferences and assess conservation status, further sampling, particularly with remote video, is required.

Funding Sponsor

Uehiro Foundation on Ethics and Education

Keywords

baited remote underwater video system, deep sea, depth record, Lamniformes, range extension, remotely operated vehicle

Department

Moss Landing Marine Laboratories

Recommended Citation

Aaron B. Judah, Alan J. Jamieson, Sarah R.D. Bingo, Megan E. Cundy, David A. Ebert, Steven Auscavitch, Harold K. Carlson, Tiffany Nicole G. Cunanan, Hayley B. Sims, and Meagan Putts. "First in Situ Observations of the Goblin Shark Mitsukurina Owstoni" Journal of Fish Biology (2026). https://doi.org/10.1111/jfb.70505