Rare Shark Sighting in Antarctic Waters Sparks Scientific Interest

A shark has been sighted in the Southern Ocean near Antarctica, marking a rare occurrence that has surprised researchers. The sighting, captured by camera footage, is believed to be the first documented observation of a shark in its natural habitat in the region.

First-of-its-Kind Recording

Oceanographer Jessica Kolbusz, from the Minderoo-UWA Deep Sea Research Center, reported the sighting of a shark belonging to the sleeper shark family near the South Shetland Islands, off the Antarctic Peninsula in 2025. The shark was observed moving slowly at a depth of 490 meters .

“This is surprising because this is the first recording obtained from somniosidae (sleeping shark) or elasmobranch (sharks or rays) in their natural habitat in the Southern Ocean,” Kolbusz explained .

Significance of the Sighting

Conservation biologist Peter Kyne, from Charles Darwin University, who was not involved in the expedition, highlighted the importance of the record. He believes the shark is likely a southern sleeper shark (Somniosus antarcticus), the southernmost shark species discovered, and potentially the first confirmed sighting of any shark species in Antarctic waters .

About Sleeper Sharks

Sleeper sharks are large sharks characterized by spotted skin and small fins. They inhabit oceans at depths ranging from the surface to thousands of meters. Several species exist, including the Greenland shark (Somniosus microcephalus), known for its exceptional longevity, potentially living up to 400 years, and found in the northern hemisphere .

Two similar-looking species inhabit the Southern Hemisphere: the southern sleeper shark and the Pacific sleeper shark (Somniosus pacificus). The southern sleeper shark was first identified from a sketch of a specimen stranded on Macquarie Island in Antarctica in 1913, during a scientific expedition led by Sir Douglas Mawson .

Ongoing Research to Determine Species

Currently, limited data is available on the southern sleeper shark, with most information derived from rare bycatch collections. Scientists have often found remains of colossal squid in the stomachs of these sharks, suggesting they prey on the world’s largest invertebrate.

Whether the southern sleeper shark and the Pacific sleeper shark are distinct species remains unclear. A 2023 genetic study in the Pacific Ocean indicated they may be the same species, but this hasn’t been confirmed elsewhere. Researcher Erwan Saulnier, from the Falkland Islands fisheries department, is collaborating with international institutions to analyze tissue samples collected from sleeper sharks caught as bycatch and during dedicated research expeditions. Genetic analysis is scheduled to begin in mid-2026, incorporating data from the South Atlantic and Indian Oceans for the first time .

Australian Antarctic Program Research

The Australian Antarctic Division leads the Australian Government’s scientific program in Antarctica, addressing critical issues including climate change, the human footprint in Antarctica, and the conservation of Antarctic and Southern Ocean wildlife . Research also encompasses long-term observational activities, such as monitoring meteorological facilities, seismic activity, and seafloor mapping .

Australia’s scientific leadership in Antarctica and the Southern Ocean is crucial for understanding and responding to climate change and safeguarding national interests .