Goblin Shark Filmed Swimming Freely in the Pacific Depths

A shark with an almost prehistoric appearance, known for living far beyond human view, has at last been filmed swimming freely in the depths of the Pacific. The goblin shark, described as a “living fossil” because of its ancient lineage, featured in exceptionally rare footage that is helping scientists establish where this species truly occurs.

Why is the goblin shark called a living fossil?

Scientifically known as Mitsukurina owstoni, the goblin shark stands out for its elongated snout and unusual looks. Its evolutionary line stretches back a very long way, leading to the nickname “living fossil”. Although science has known about the species for some time, its behaviour in deep water has remained poorly recorded.

Until recently, living specimens had largely been seen only after being caught by fishers. That changed with a study published in the Journal of Fish Biology, which presented records of apparently healthy animals swimming freely in their natural surroundings.

Where did scientists find these goblin sharks?

Researchers assessed two sightings. One took place near a seamount north-west of Jarvis Island, and the other on the slope of the Tonga Trench. Both sites lie in the central Pacific, a region where the species had not previously been documented in this way.

For Aaron Judah, the study’s lead author and a researcher at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, seeing a live goblin shark that appeared healthy was an exceptional opportunity. The observations also substantially expanded knowledge of the species’ geographical distribution.

What made the Tonga Trench sighting so remarkable?

The specimen recorded in the Tonga Trench was seen at almost 700 metres deep. According to the researchers, the encounter extended the known depth limit not only for the goblin shark but also for the order Lamniformes, the group that includes great white sharks, makos and basking sharks.

Together, the two records provided important scientific information:

• They confirmed living goblin sharks in central Pacific locations where the species had not previously been recorded.
• They showed apparently healthy individuals swimming freely in their natural habitat.
• They expanded understanding of the depths at which these sharks can live.
• They strengthened the idea that the species may have a far wider distribution than previously thought.

Watch the video shared by the Discover Here YouTube channel showing the goblin shark, a genuine fossil of the oceans.

How did one goblin shark remain hidden in footage for years?

One of the most intriguing details is that the first record did not come from a new expedition. In 2025, researchers alerted Judah to a possible goblin shark visible in footage from a 2019 E/V Nautilus mission, which explored areas near Kingman Reef, Palmyra Atoll and Jarvis Island.

The images had been captured by the remotely operated vehicle Hercules and stored in a public archive. After examining the material, Judah confirmed the identification. The second specimen was filmed in 2024 in the Tonga Trench, during an expedition using a baited deep-water camera.

Why are these few seconds of footage so important?

Before these observations, goblin shark records were concentrated in waters near Japan, Australia and the western United States, alongside isolated occurrences in the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. The new study indicates that the species also inhabits central Pacific regions that had remained outside its known range.

Judah noted that a species can hardly be included in regional biodiversity plans if nobody knows it lives in that area. Every new record from the deep can alter the map of marine life, and these images convey a clear message: much remains concealed in the ocean, waiting to be discovered.