Scientists have achieved a significant breakthrough in marine biology, capturing the first-ever live footage of the elusive goblin shark in its deep-ocean habitat. These creatures, often described as having a near-mythological quality due to their extreme rarity, have previously only been observed when accidentally caught on fishing lines, leaving experts with very limited knowledge of their behaviour and appearance in the wild.
The groundbreaking observations were made during two separate expeditions in the Pacific Ocean. Australian scientists filmed an individual goblin shark in the Tonga Trench in 2024 aboard the R/V Dagon, while researchers from the University of Hawaii observed another near Jarvis Island. These two sightings, thousands of kilometres apart, have been jointly published in the Journal of Fish Biology, significantly expanding the known geographical range of the species, which was previously thought to be concentrated in specific regions of the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian Oceans.
Professor Alan Jamieson, director of the Minderoo-UWA Deep-Sea Research Centre and a co-author of the paper, highlighted the creature's bizarre appearance. He noted that while the goblin shark is famously known for its incredible mouth that can protrude dramatically for slingshot feeding, this feature is actually retracted when the animal is alive, presenting a surprisingly pointy head. The footage, though just over 20 seconds long, was the result of over 50 days of continuous filming, underscoring the challenge of observing such deep-sea inhabitants.
Professor Culum Brown, a fish expert at Macquarie University, described the goblin shark as "arguably the ugliest shark on the planet," with a "ridiculously horrendous" appearance. Its distinctive long snout and unique protrudable jaws allow it to detect prey and then rapidly extend its mouth to capture it. The common name "goblin" is derived from a Japanese term referring to a legendary creature with a long nose, reflecting the shark's unusual facial features.
This ancient species is believed to have remained relatively unchanged for approximately 125 million years. Goblin sharks possess a long, flabby body that can reach up to seven metres in length, coupled with small fins. Like many deep-sea creatures, they are thought to have a very slow metabolism, moving at a leisurely pace through the abyssal depths.