Rare Goblin Shark Surfaces Near Canary Islands

In May 2024, recreational fishers near Gran Canaria encountered a rare 2.5-meter goblin shark at a depth of 900 meters. This sighting is scientifically significant as it is the first live goblin shark recorded in the Canary Islands' waters. Researchers from the University of La Laguna confirmed it as the second live goblin shark documented in the wider Macaronesian region.

The formal scientific record, published in January 2026, extends the known distribution of *Mitsukurina owstoni* into the Central-Eastern Atlantic. Fewer than 250 goblin sharks have been documented globally, making this encounter exceptionally valuable. The species is recognized by its distinctive long snout and protrusible jaws.

The Canary Islands' protected deep-water environment likely supports such rare species. The prohibition of bottom trawling since the 1980s and the absence of a targeted fishery contribute to preserving these habitats. The islands' underwater geography also creates diverse deep-sea environments.

This discovery underscores the vast unknown biodiversity in the deep waters around the Canary Islands. The specimen, provisionally identified as female, provided crucial photographic and video evidence, contributing to the incomplete scientific understanding of goblin shark behavior, reproduction, and population structure. Continued monitoring of these deep-sea ecosystems is crucial.