24-04-2025
Fisherman hooks ‘aggressive' predator in first-of-its-kind catch in Chile. See it
In a fjord along the coast of southern Chile, a fisherman hauled in an 'aggressive' ocean predator and brought it to a nearby dock. The animal caught the attention of visiting scientists — and for good reason.
It turned out to be a first-of-its-kind catch.
Comau Fjord is a 'deep and narrow' inlet connected to the Pacific Ocean and the site of a poorly understood phenomenon: 'the occurrence of deepwater species in shallow depths, far beyond their usual distributional range,' according to a study published April 15 in the peer-reviewed Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom.
A team of researchers suspected Comau Fjord had more shark and skate diversity than previously realized so they spent six months in 2018 surveying its depths, the study said.
To do so, researchers set up longline fishing gear at several locations around the fjord, let the lines sink down to roughly 1,500 feet and waited. Any animals they caught were photographed, sampled for DNA and then released. The team also spoke to local fishermen and SCUBA divers.
Their efforts paid off. Overall, researchers documented nine species of shark, skate and dogfish, including three species recorded in the fjord for the first time.
One of these new records was the broadnose sevengill shark, or Notorynchus cepedianus, the study said. Photos show two of these shark sightings, which included an encounter by a SCUBA diver caught on video and a catch made by a local fisherman.
Broadnose sevengill sharks are 'large,' 'opportunistic' predators considered 'aggressive when provoked' and 'potentially dangerous to humans,' according to the Florida Museum. The species is vulnerable and has been 'used for human consumption, liver oil and leather' for decades.
Researchers documented another first-of-its-kind catch of several yellownose skates, or Dipturus chilensis, the study said. Photos show these endangered skates.
Other photos show a largespine velvet dogfish, or Scymnodon macracanthus, found at the fjord for the first time, the study said.
Researchers also recorded several more species of shark, including the endangered leafscale gulper shark, more species of dogfish and another skate species. In total, seven of the nine recorded species were considered at-risk and had shrinking populations.
The team concluded that Comau Fjord is an important habitat for several deep-water species and may serve as a 'primary nursery ground' for some. They described their work as 'essential data to inform decision makers, conservation managers, and future research' and suggested further wildlife surveys.
A 2017 YouTube video shared by Camilo S. shows Comau Fjord, located along the southwestern coast of Chile.
The research team included Mette Schiønning, Lara Marcús, Ana Veríssimo, Aris Thomasberger, Stacy Ballyram, Günter Försterra and Francisco Concha.
