Scientists have recorded a live goblin shark for the first time (Mitsukurina owstoni) thrives in its natural deep sea environment. This historic observation, led by a research team at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, provides an unprecedented look at one of the world’s rarest and most mysterious sharks without removing them from their habitat.
Until now, all confirmed videos and sightings of live goblin sharks have only been made public after the animal was accidentally caught on a fishing line and brought to the surface. Divers were able to examine the sharks briefly, but the sharks usually died shortly thereafter. The new research Fish Biology Journalreport two healthy goblin sharks observed in the wild. One was observed near a seamount near Jervis Island, and the other was recorded along the slope of the Tonga Trench.
Often described as a “living fossil,” goblin sharks are the only survivors of a family of sharks that dates back approximately 125 million years. The newly recorded encounters have significantly expanded both the known geographic distribution of this species and the depths at which it is known to occur.
Goblin Shark breaks depth record
“It’s a unique privilege to see the most iconic of all deep-sea sharks alive and healthy in their natural habitat,” said lead author Aaron Judah, a doctoral candidate in the Deep Sea Fish Ecology Laboratory and Deep Sea Animal Research Center (DARC) in the Department of Oceanography, School of Marine, Earth Science and Technology at UH Mānoa. “We were also very surprised by the depth at which this species was found. Observations from the slopes of the Tonga Trench show it is nearly 700 meters deeper than this species is known to occur.”
Mr Judah explained that the sighting in the Tonga Trench also established a new depth record for the entire oligarch order, also known as mackerel sharks. This group includes well-known species such as the great white, basking shark, and mako shark.
Prior to these discoveries, goblin sharks were known only from relatively limited areas of the Pacific Ocean off the coasts of the western United States, Australia, and Japan, and small areas of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. The two new sightings, both in the central Pacific Ocean, significantly expand the species’ known range.
Archived footage reveals hidden discoveries
The first observation came to light in 2025 after Judah spoke with Daruk’s colleague. They mentioned the possibility of a goblin shark, which was recorded during a 2019 Marine Exploration Trust expedition. E/V Nautilusinvestigated the deep-sea ecosystems around Kingman Reef, Palmyra Atoll, and Jervis Island in the Pacific Remote Marine National Monument.
“I was shocked to hear this because this species was not known to exist in the central Pacific,” Judah said.
The expedition used remotely controlled vehicles. Herculeswhich recorded extensive video footage that was later archived for public access and annotated by University of Manoa researchers. After reviewing the recording, Judah confirmed that the goblin shark was indeed captured on video during a livestreamed dive at an unnamed seamount northwest of Jervis Island. (See video link after the article below.)
Second sighting confirms expansion of range
The second encounter occurred during an expedition to the Tonga Trench in 2024. R/V Dagon As part of the Inkfish Open Ocean Expedition led by scientists from the Minderoo UWA Deep Sea Research Center. A baited camera attached to a bottom lander has captured rare footage of another goblin shark swimming freely in its natural environment.
“The goblin shark is one of the charismatic animals of the deep sea that we never thought we’d live to see, and it was amazing to actually see it alive, but then to learn that our colleagues in Hawaii had seen it too,” said Alan Jamieson, professor and founding director of the Minderoo UWA Deep Sea Research Center and co-author of the study documenting the 2024 sighting.
Why these findings matter
Judah said the findings show why traditional natural history research remains essential, especially in the deep sea, where many species are still poorly understood.
“It’s really important that we still do natural history research,” Judah stressed. “New discoveries like this show that there is still much to explore in our deep ocean home. Given the newly expanded geographic range of the goblin shark, this species could be included in regional management and national biodiversity lists, while we didn’t even know it was there!”
