Emma Murphy, a zoology curator at the National Museum of Ireland, expressed astonishment upon learning that a deceased Greenland shark had washed up on the shores of northwestern Ireland. These massive and ancient ocean creatures are typically very elusive and inhabit the remote depths of the Arctic and North Atlantic oceans.
The National Museum of Ireland described the appearance of the Greenland shark in Irish waters as “exceedingly rare,” marking the first known instance of one being stranded on the coast of Ireland. Despite this rarity, one scientist suggests that the species may have a wider distribution than commonly believed.
Discovered near Sligo on April 11 by a passerby, the shark was initially mistaken for a basking shark, a species commonly found off the Irish coast. After the species was identified through photographs by scientists at the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group, the National Museum of Ireland was promptly informed.
The Greenland shark, known as one of the largest carnivorous shark species globally, can reach lengths of up to seven meters and has a remarkable lifespan of over 270 years. They primarily inhabit the cold waters of the Arctic and North Atlantic but have been found in other regions, including Belize and the Gulf of Mexico, due to their ability to thrive in cold temperatures.
Due to their deep-sea habitat, Greenland sharks are rarely encountered by humans. The recent opportunity for researchers to examine a stranded Greenland shark in Ireland provided a unique and awe-inspiring experience. The three-meter-long male shark, estimated to be around 150 years old, was found to be in good health with no apparent cause of death.
The scientists involved in this discovery plan to preserve the shark’s skin and skull for public display in the National Museum of Ireland, ensuring that this remarkable creature’s legacy is preserved for future generations to appreciate.