Home / Environment / Rare Deep-Sea Shark Spotted 54 Times in Cayman Islands Expedition
Rare Deep-Sea Shark Spotted 54 Times in Cayman Islands Expedition
24 Aug
Summary
- Researchers captured high-quality footage of the normally "cryptic" roughskin dogfish
- This is the first-ever record of the species in the Cayman and central Caribbean region
- Video systems are a great method for "enhancing and expanding our understanding" of deep-sea sharks
In a groundbreaking discovery, researchers conducting a deep-sea biodiversity study in the Cayman Islands have captured rare footage of the roughskin dogfish shark. The team lowered an underwater camera to a depth of approximately 3,500 feet and baited it with sardines, hoping to document the area's marine life. Shortly after, the researchers were delighted to see a roughskin dogfish shark swim by the camera an astonishing 54 times over several minutes.
This is the first-ever record of the roughskin dogfish in the Cayman and central Caribbean region, according to the team's report published in the Journal of Fish Biology. Not only does this add a new species locality record, but it also significantly expands the scientific community's understanding of the distribution and behavior of this normally "cryptic" predator.
The researchers emphasized that the use of video systems is a highly effective, non-invasive method for "enhancing and expanding our knowledge of the biology and diversity of deep-sea sharks." This breakthrough highlights the importance of such innovative techniques in conservation efforts, as scientists work to document the existence of elusive species like the roughskin dogfish, which are often only seen as bycatch by fishing boats and trawlers.
