Work

First Record of the Goblin Shark (Mitsukurina owstoni) in the Canary Islands

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: We report the first confirmed observation of a live goblin shark ( Mitsukurina owstoni ) in waters of the Canary Islands (Spain). The specimen, approximately 250 cm in total length, was incidentally captured with rod and reel by recreational fishers at a depth of 900 m off San Cristóbal, Gran Canaria, and released after photographic and video documentation. This record constitutes a notable expansion of the species’ known distribution range in the Central–Eastern Atlantic. The finding highlights the ecological significance of deep-sea habitats in the region and underscores the need for continued exploration and monitoring of these poorly studied environments.

Source: Thalassas An International Journal of Marine Sciences

DOI: 10.1007/s41208-025-01016-w

Authors: Asier Furundarena, Marcos Hernández, Alberto Brito, Gonzalo Mucientes

Institutions: Universidad de La Laguna, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Universidade do Porto, Instituto de Investigacións Mariñas, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos

Language: English

Topic: Ichthyology and Marine Biology

Subfield: Nature and Landscape Conservation

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Life below water

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,090