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Scientists seeking sharks

This October Re:wild and their partners kicked off an exciting mission: the Search for Lost Sharks. They have created a list of 428 lost species of sharks, rays, and chimaera (shark-like fish found in the deep sea) that have not been seen nor documented by scientists in over 10 years.

lost sharks

Why are some sharks considered “lost,” and why is it important to find them?

Scientists go gaga for sharks, and for good reason. Sharks are a diverse and fascinating group of animals that play a vital role in the ocean, which covers 70% of Earth’s surface. Sharks help keep ocean ecosystems healthy as top predators. From coastal shallows and reefs to the mysterious deep sea, sharks are an important part of the web of life.

an illustration of a shark

It may surprise you to learn that scientists are still discovering new sharks. In the past 15 years alone, 20% of all known shark species have been identified and described. Unfortunately, more than 30% of known shark species are threatened with extinction due to overfishing, habitat damage, pollution, and climate change.

Sometimes shark species are discovered, but then vanish from sight! Some sharks have been lost for over 100 years. This is why scientists are on the hunt. If they find lost sharks, scientists can study their habitats and behavior, learn what the sharks need to thrive, and create plans to keep them safe from extinction.

The Search for Lost Sharks will start by focusing on 10 species of sharks from around the world. Some of the sharks on the list are residents of the deep, dark sea, a part of the ocean that is hard to explore. Among them are the crying Izak catshark, cylindrical lantern shark, and the Bahamas ghost shark.

Some lost sharks of the deep

How will scientists search for lost sharks?

Savvy scientists have some clever ideas. They’ll team up with conservationists, local experts, and citizen scientists to search for the lost sharks. These teams will use methods like diving and taking underwater photographs. They will also use new technology, like special cameras and tests for environmental DNA (eDNA) found in seawater to help find lost sharks.

What if scientists can’t find them?

illustration of scientists

Scientists are persistent, and there is reason to be hopeful. Recently some other lost species have been rediscovered, like the Attenborough’s long-beaked echidna and a giant millipede. So there is a good chance that some of the lost sharks will be found, too. We won’t know unless we go looking for them.


More information about Lost Species Month

Launched in October 2023, Lost Species Month is a yearly celebration hosted by Re:wild and the IUCN Species Survival Commission’s Reverse the Red. Lost Species Month raises awareness about organisms that have not been documented by scientists for 10 or more years, called lost species

Who is involved in the Search for Lost Sharks?

Carcharhinus obsoletus lateral female

Together, Re:wild, Beneath The Waves, Minorities in Shark Sciences (MISS), Mission Blue, PADI (the Professional Association of Diving Instructors) AWARE, ReShark and Save our Seas Foundation will share their resources and expertise  to search for the lost sharks. 

Members of the IUCN Species Survival Commission’s Shark Specialist Group helped develop the global list of all lost sharks.

The Search for Lost Sharks will initially focus on searching for 10 species spread around the world.

Citation:

Ebert DA, Cevallos Garcias A, Fahmi, et al. Searching for lost sharks: extinct or alive? Oryx. 2023;57(4):419-420. doi:10.1017/S0030605323000509

Text and illustrations by Megan Strauss for Mongabay Kids

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