Seychelles Gulper Shark

About the Seychelles Gulper Shark

Seychelles gulper sharks are recently described and collected during a research cruise by a trammel net. They are deep-water sharks and distinguished by their long snout.

They can be seen in the Western Indian Ocean around the Seychelles island at about 1000 m underwater.

Biology and Behaviour

Seychelles gulper sharks are grey in colour, and their first dorsal fin is high and second dorsal fin base long which are blackened at the edges.

A fully grown female Seychelles gulper shark is 65 cm in length, while males grow to 79 cm long.

Reproduction and Lifespan

There is very little known about Seychelles gulper sharks in terms of their lifespan and reproduction activity.

Conservation and Tourism

It’s highly possible that Seychellois fishermen have caught Seychelles gulper sharks without knowing that these gulper sharks are a recently discovered species.

Seychelles gulper sharks are vulnerable to a declining population because of their small travel range and overfishing. There is some deep sea fishing near Seychelles, but there are no commercial fisheries that target sharks that swim below 600 m.  

Seychelles gulper sharks are listed by the IUCN as data deficient since there is not enough information of their biology and ecology. No conservation methods are currently in place.  

Do you have images or videos of Seychelles Gulper Sharks?
Submit them to [email protected].