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Goblin shark seen alive in natural habitat for the first time: "The most iconic of all the deep-sea sharks"

Updated on: June 12, 2026 / 10:18 AM EDT / CBS News

Goblin shark seen alive in natural habitat for the first time: "The most iconic of all the deep-sea sharks"

TL;DR

  • For the first time, a goblin shark has been observed alive in its natural deep-sea habitat through remote, baited camera footage.
  • Two sightings were documented: one in 2019 near Jarvis Island and Palmyra Atoll, and another in 2024 in the Tonga Trench.
  • These observations have expanded the known geographic range of the goblin shark and extended the depth range for lamniform sharks by 108 meters.
  • The goblin shark, described as a 'living fossil,' has a unique appearance and is the sole surviving species in its family, which dates back 125 million years.
  • The discoveries underscore the importance of natural history research and the potential for new findings in the deep ocean.