Recreational fishermen discovered a living Mitsukurina owstoni, or ghost shark, at a depth of 900 meters near Gran Canaria, marking a significant addition to the known sightings of this rare species.
The Mitsukurina owstoni, commonly known as the ghost shark, is one of the rarest marine species, with fewer than 250 specimens documented globally since its scientific description in 1898. Each new sighting is a vital addition to researchers’ understanding of its distribution and behavior. Traditionally, these creatures have been spotted sporadically around the world, with their first identification occurring in Sagami Bay, Japan.
In May 2024, a group of recreational fishermen accidentally captured a live ghost shark at a depth of 900 meters off the coast of San Cristóbal, Gran Canaria. This notable find was confirmed in December 2025 through a publication in the scientific journal Thalassas, representing the first record of the species within the Canary Islands archipelago. This discovery not only adds to the catalogue of known sightings but significantly enhances the understanding of the ghost shark's presence in the Macaronesian region, which includes the Azores, Madeira, and Cape Verde.
Researchers are particularly interested in this finding as it strengthens knowledge about the species’ habitat range and its ecological role in deep-sea environments. Given the ghost shark's rarity, each new sighting could provide critical data influencing marine conservation efforts and initiatives aimed at protecting vulnerable ocean species. The event underlines the importance of recreational fishing as a means of scientific discovery, further bridging the gap between amateur enthusiasts and professional marine biologists in the quest to understand elusive marine life.
