A rare shark species thought to be extinct due to overfishing has been rediscovered in Papua New Guinea after more than 50 years. The sailback houndshark, Gogolia filewoodi, was first described in the late 1970s from a single specimen, with no further records until now.
Scientists have documented six new individuals of G. filewoodi from surveys conducted in 2020 and 2022 near the Gogol River mouth in Madang Province. The findings, published in the Journal of Fish Biology, represent the first verified records of the species since its original description.
The specimens—five females and one male—were caught by artisanal fishers using handlines at depths of around 80 metres. The male is the first of its sex recorded for the species. Researchers note that the shark has a unique evolutionary lineage not found elsewhere, but its biology remains poorly understood.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) lists the species as 'data deficient' due to the lack of records. The new study suggests its geographic range may be restricted to a small area around Astrolabe Bay, raising concerns about potential population declines from increased fishing.
The rediscovery highlights the importance of artisanal fishery surveys in poorly studied regions. The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) conducted the market surveys that led to the finds, underscoring the value of local knowledge in documenting rare species.
