An unexpected sighting occurred when a large and robust sleeper shark was captured on camera slowly swimming over a desolate seabed in the deep, dark waters of Antarctica. This surprising encounter challenged the belief that sharks do not inhabit the frigid Antarctic region, according to researcher Alan Jamieson.
The impressive shark, estimated to be between three and four meters in length, was filmed in January 2025 by the camera of the Minderoo-UWA Deep-Sea Research Centre near the Antarctic Peninsula, off the South Shetland Islands. The footage, showcasing the shark at a depth of 490 meters with a water temperature of 1.27 degrees Celsius, was authorized for publication by the center.
Accompanying the shark in the video was a motionless skate, resembling a stingray, resting on the seabed. Scientists had anticipated the presence of skates in that area, as their range is known to extend into the southernmost regions. This discovery challenges previous assumptions about the marine life in Antarctica.
While this particular shark sighting was a rare occurrence, experts believe that the shark population in the Antarctic Ocean may be sparse and difficult to detect due to the region’s extreme remoteness. The unique footage captured by the research center sheds light on the potential presence of sleeper sharks in the region, indicating a need for further exploration and study.
The discovery of the sleeper shark at such depths in the Antarctic Ocean suggests that these creatures may be feeding on the remains of deceased marine animals that sink to the seabed. Researchers speculate that other Antarctic sharks may also inhabit similar depths, thriving in the stratified layers of the ocean.
Given the limited research equipment available at these depths in Antarctica, such discoveries are rare and highlight the importance of continued exploration during the Southern Hemisphere’s summer months. The team behind the footage emphasizes the significance of these findings, underscoring the need for ongoing monitoring and research in this unique and largely uncharted marine environment.
