Giant breakthrough: Goblin shark filmed in the ocean for the first time ever

Until recently, the goblin shark (Mitsukurina owstoni) was one of the ocean's most mysterious creatures. This bizarre-looking species, often referred to as a "living fossil," was virtually inaccessible to scientists – not because it was extremely rare, but because it lives at depths rarely reached by humans. For a long time, all knowledge about its life came almost exclusively from individuals accidentally caught by deep-sea fishermen. However, these sharks usually died shortly after being caught, making any true observation of their natural behavior impossible.

But that has now fundamentally changed.

In 2026, scientists confirmed the first ever full-fledged footage of a goblin shark directly in its natural deep-ocean habitat. This discovery is the result of several expeditions and years of retrospective analysis of data from underwater robots. One of the key observations comes from an area near Jarvis Island in the central Pacific, where the shark was recorded at a depth of over 1,200 meters. Further crucial footage was captured in the Tonga Trench, one of the deepest areas of the ocean, where an individual was observed at a depth of almost two kilometers.

It is this second location that has pushed the boundaries of our knowledge – not only confirming that goblin sharks live much deeper than previously thought, but also showing that their distribution is wider across the Pacific Ocean.

What is fundamental about this discovery is not just the fact that this species was filmed alive. For the first time in history, scientists were able to observe a goblin shark in its true habitat – free from the stress of being caught, without damage, and without artificial conditions. Previously, all confirmed footage of live individuals was taken after they had been caught on fishing gear, which significantly distorted our ideas about their behavior.

The goblin shark is an evolutionarily fascinating creature. Its lineage extends 125 million years into the past, and its appearance reflects this – an elongated "beak," a soft body, and unique protrusible jaws that function almost like a slingshot. Thanks to them, it can instantly shoot its jaw forward and catch prey even in the dark depths where visibility is minimal.

The new footage also suggests that this species is likely a slow, energy-efficient predator that moves calmly and relies more on surprise than speed. This is consistent with its anatomy and the environment in which it lives – a deep-sea world with minimal light and limited food resources.

The entire discovery is a huge step for marine biology. It shows how little we still know about deep-sea ecosystems, which make up most of our planet. Every such record helps us better understand not only the sharks themselves, but also the functioning of the ocean as a whole.

And perhaps the most important finding? Goblin sharks have been here for millions of years – silently, hidden, and without human attention. Only now have we finally begun to truly get to know them.

Author: Miri Svobodová

Source: The Guardian, ABC News, Oceanographic Magazine, ScienceDaily, Journal of Fish Biology