First-Ever Footage of Sleeper Shark in Antarctic Waters

In January 2025, researchers from the Minderoo-UWA Deep-Sea Research Centre captured the first-ever footage of a sleeper shark in the frigid waters of Antarctica, specifically off the South Shetland Islands. The shark, estimated to be between 10 and 13 feet long, was filmed at a depth of approximately 1,640 feet (about 500 meters) in near-freezing waters of 34°F (1.27°C). This sighting challenges the long-held belief that sharks do not inhabit the Antarctic Ocean, also known as the Southern Ocean, which is defined as the waters below 60 degrees south latitude.

South China Morning PostNew York PostFirst-ever Footage of a Rare Shark Caught in Antarctica Stuns ScientistPeople Magazine

Researcher Alan Jamieson noted that the sleeper shark's presence in such extreme conditions is significant, as it suggests that these creatures may have been overlooked in previous studies due to their sparse population and the challenges of conducting research in the Southern Ocean. Jamieson emphasized, “We went down there not expecting to see sharks because there’s a general rule of thumb that you don’t get sharks in Antarctica.” The footage provides a rare glimpse into the adaptations of marine life in extreme environments, potentially reshaping our understanding of the Antarctic ecosystem.

South China Morning Post

The footage was obtained using baited cameras, a technique pioneered by the Minderoo-UWA Deep-Sea Research Centre to study elusive deep-sea species. The Antarctic Ocean is heavily stratified, with layers of water that do not mix easily, making it difficult to monitor marine life throughout the year. Jamieson explained that most research cameras can only operate during the Southern Hemisphere summer months, from December to February, leaving the remaining 75% of the year largely unexplored.

First-ever Footage of a Rare Shark Caught in Antarctica Stuns Scientist

The discovery raises important questions about the impact of climate change on marine species. Peter Kyne, a conservation biologist at Charles Darwin University, noted that climate change and warming oceans could be driving sharks to inhabit colder waters. The presence of the sleeper shark in Antarctic waters may indicate shifts in species distribution due to environmental changes. Dr. Jessica Kolbusz, an oceanographer involved in the research, stated, “With the rate of warming and the likely wide-ranging thermal tolerance of the species, it’s most likely their distribution would stay consistent.”

First-ever Footage of a Rare Shark Caught in Antarctica Stuns ScientistNew York PostPeople Magazine

The research team plans to conduct genetic analyses starting in mid-2026 to better understand the sleeper shark's distribution and adaptability. These studies will include genetic data from the South Atlantic and Indian Oceans, which are crucial for understanding how the species might respond to changing environmental conditions. The discovery of the sleeper shark in Antarctica is seen as a starting point for further investigations into the broader impacts of climate change on marine biodiversity in the Southern Ocean.

First-ever Footage of a Rare Shark Caught in Antarctica Stuns ScientistPeople MagazineNew York PostSouth China Morning Post

• “We went down there not expecting to see sharks because there’s a general rule of thumb that you don’t get sharks in Antarctica,” — Alan Jamieson, Researcher

New York Post

• “It was surprising since this is the first footage obtained…any elasmobranch [shark or ray] in situ in the Southern Ocean,” — Jessica Kolbusz, Oceanographer

First-ever Footage of a Rare Shark Caught in Antarctica Stuns Scientist

• “The Southern sleeper shark is the most southerly occurring shark species but this I believe is the first record of it — and any shark — in Antarctica itself,” — Peter Kyne, Conservation Biologist

First-ever Footage of a Rare Shark Caught in Antarctica Stuns Scientist

This groundbreaking footage not only documents a rare marine species but also highlights the need for continued research in the face of climate change, as scientists strive to understand the complexities of life in one of the world's most extreme environments.

First-ever Footage of a Rare Shark Caught in Antarctica Stuns Scientist