Two new shark species discovered off Australia and New Zealand

There are many terrestrial species that we know little about or have yet to discover. When we transition into the ocean, our knowledge decreases significantly. This is particularly evident for sharks, as evidenced by the recent discovery of two new shark species this week.

A new subspecies of the so-called ghost shark, also known as a chimaera (Latin name Chimaera), was identified yesterday. Earlier in the week, researchers discovered a new smaller species of hammerhead shark, known as the bonnethead shark (Latin name Sphyrna tiburo), which is considered a flexible eater. The new ghost shark subspecies is believed to inhabit the waters off Australia and New Zealand, having been spotted alive in the Chatman Rise area east of New Zealand’s South Island.

Marine biologist Rune Kristiansen, who works at the Kattegat Centre, is not surprised by these findings. He noted that advancements in technology over the past 10 to 15 years have allowed researchers to better clarify uncertain species descriptions, highlighting that many species remain undiscovered.

According to estimates, the number of recognized shark species has increased from around 360 in the mid-1980s to over 500 today—a rise of 40 percent in just 40 years. Kristiansen mentioned that researchers typically discover around five to ten new sharks and rays each year, both of which fall under the cartilaginous fish family, which also includes chimaeras.

The ongoing challenge posed by overfishing has forced fishermen to target deeper ocean waters, where new species continue to emerge. The discovery of the mega-mouth shark (Latin name Megachasma pelagios), found only in 1975 despite being the third largest shark species, exemplifies how little we know about the ocean’s depths. Kristiansen points out that we understand more about the Moon’s surface than the deep sea, which covers 70 percent of the Earth’s surface. Every year, approximately 2,000 new marine species are discovered, with estimates suggesting there may be one to two million marine species yet to be identified.