Megachasma pelagios
The First
Megamouth Shark, (Megachasma pelagios)
Discovered approx. 25 miles off the coast Oahu, Hawaii
On Nov. 15th. 1976
Mission: A U.S. Navy Ship has orders to search and recover lost “Dummy” Torpedoes. Result: The most exciting Shark discovery |
As the Chute like drift anchor was being towed, suddenly something huge caused it to drag down. On reeling it up back to the ship, the crew are amazed to find a huge fish, entangled in a deep-water net. With a mouth measuring 1 metre wide at the tip of a 4.5 metres long brownish coloured flabby body, it was soon realized that nobody had ever seen this species before!! It took about 7 years before this species was identified and named as Megachasma pelagios, or as it is better known, |
Eight years after the original discovery, a second Male specimen was brought up dead, in a fishing net off the coast of California.
HOW MANY HAVE BEEN FOUND SINCE THEN?
Some Statistics first
Locations
Taiwan
Philippines
Japan
Usa
Ecuador
Mexico
Indonesia
Brazil
Peru
China
Australia
South Africa
Senegal
Indian Ocean
Sri Lanka
Vietnam
Puerto Rico
Liberia
151
27
23
7
4
4
3
3
3
3
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
Sex
Male
Female
Unknown
87
127
22
Condition
Alive
Dead
19
217
Sizes
Largest confirmed
Largest unconfirmed
Smallest confirmed
710cm
800 – 900cm
177cm
And now the detail
Please note that as much as I try to keep this list up to date, I cannot guarantee that it is exact. Many catches are not being reported or data not being shared.
236 Megamouth sharks are being listed here.
No
Date
Location
Sex
Size
Photo
Remarks
1
15 Nov 76
Oahu, Hawaii
M
446cm
On display at Bernice P. Bishop Museum Honolulu, Hawaii
2
29 Nov 84
Catalina Island, California, USA
M
449cm
On display at Los Angeles County Museum
3
18 Aug 88
Mandurah, Australia
M
515cm
On display at Western Australia Museum
4
23 Jan 89
Hamamatsu City, Japan
M
400+cm
Caught and killed
5
Jun 89
Suruga Bay, Japan
F?
490cm
Released Alive
7
29 Nov 94
Hakata Bay, Japan
F
471cm
On display at Marine World Fukuoka, Japan Scientific paper
8
4 May 95
Dakar, Senegal
M
180cm
Discarded
9
18 Sept 95
Southern Brazil
M
190cm
On display at Instituto de Pesca, São Paulo, Brazil
10
30 Apr 97
Owase City, Mikisaki, Mie Japan
F
544cm
Preserved at Toba Aquarium
11
20 Feb 98
Cagayan de Oro, Macajalar Bay, Philippines
M
549cm
Consumed Scientific Paper
12
23 Apr 98
Mihama-cho, Atawa, Mie, Japan
F
549cm
Discarded
13
30 Aug 98
Manado, North Sulawesi, Indonesia
F
ca. 500cm
Sighted being attacked by Orcas and swam Away
14
1 Oct 99
W of San Diego, California, USA
F
518cm
Released Alive
15
19 Oct 01
NW of San Diego, California, USA
M
548cm
Released Alive
16
18 Jan 02
East Indian Ocean
M
235cm
Tuna purse seine, discarded Dead
17
20 Apr 02
Natures Valley, Plettenberg Bay, South Africa
F
350cm
Washed Ashore Dead. On display at Port Elisabeth Museum, South Africa.
18
6 Jan 03
Cagayan de Oro, Macajalar Bay, Philippines
F
497cm
Consumed
19
26 May 03
Dana Point, California, USA
?
610 - 760cm
Sighting
20
3 Jul 03
Hualien Province Taiwan
M
ca 250cm
Consumed
21
7 Aug 03
Omaezaki, Sizuoka Japan
M
430cm
22
8 Mar 04
85.37 km from the port of Posorja (province of Guayas) (02°54.374’s; 81°14.858’w Ecuador
M
420cm
Caught in a gillnet and Consumed
23
13 Mar 04
Gapang Beach, Sumatra, Indonesia.
M
177cm
Washed Ashore Dead. On display at LIPI Museum, Chibinong, Jakarta. Scientific Paper
24
19 Apr 04
Tokyo Bay, Ichihara City, Japan
F
563cm
Washed Ashore Dead Kept on display.
25
23 Apr 04
Ajiro, Shizuoka, Japan
F
ca. 490cm
Discarded
26
04 Nov 04
Namocon Beach, Tigbauan, Iloilo Philippines
F
504cm
Stranded on beach and Died later. Now at SEAFDEC Museum.
27
23 Jan 05
Kisei cho Nishiki, Mie, Japan
F
528cm
Captured with a purse seine
28
30 Jan 05
Barangay Agusan, Macajalar Bay Cagayan de Oro, Phillippines
F
417cm
Died after being captured in net.
29
25 Apr 05
Hualien, Eastern Taiwan
?
?
First of 4 specimens caught within 10 days in the same region. 580 kilos was consumed
30
2 May 05
Hualien, Eastern Taiwan
?
?
Second of 4. 680 kilos was consumed.
31
4 May 05
Hualien, Eastern Taiwan
F
709cm
Third of 4. Dead. Weight 689 kilos. Believed to be pregnant. Taken to Taipei Zoo/Academia Sinica.
32
5 May 05
Hualien, Eastern Taiwan
F
483cm
Fourth of 4. Dead. weight 807 kilos. Believed to to be pregnant. Taken to Taipei Zoo/Academia Sinica.
33
5 Jun 05
Hualien, Eastern Taiwan
M
350/ 400cm
Another Megamouth was caught from the same location. 400-500 kg
34
26 Jan 06
Bayawan City, Central Visayas, Philippines island of Negros
F
500cm
Accidental capture by fishermen. Died before it could be set free.
35
12 Mar 06
Barra, Macajalar Bay Cagayan de Oro, Philippines
F
226cm
Was dead when it reached the shore after being entangled by a fisherman's gill net.
36
23 Mar 06
China Sea
?
470cm
Caught and killed.
37
2 May 06
Sagami Bay, Yugawara, (Kanagawa pref) Japan
F
570cm
38
16 Nov 06
Tortugas Bay, West Coast of Baja California, Mexico
F
226.5cm
Caught in a gill net. Was later donated to the Scripps Institute of Oceanography (SIO), La Jolla, California, USA
39
30 May 07
Barangay Tungkob, Minglanilla town, Cebu, Philippines
?
249cm
Shark found alive with hole in the head. Died later.
40
Jun 07
Sagami Bay, Shizuoka, Japan
F
540cm
41
9 Jul 07
Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan
F
370cm
Shark was caught in a net and died. It was kept frozen untill it went on display Churaumi Aquarium in 2011.
42
23 Sep 07
Baja California, México
?
?
Sighted between Cedros Island and San Benito Islands.
43
27 Sep 07
Hinunangan, So Lyete, Philippines
?
274cm
Found Dead Stranded On Beach.
44
30 Jun 08
Taiwan
M
?
Caught and killed.
45
10 Jul 08
Taiwan
M
500/550cm
Caught and killed.
46
5 Sep 08
Hinunangan, So Lyete, Philippines
?
213cm
Found Stranded On Beach and was pushed back into the sea.
47
30 Mar 09
Eastern Coast of Burioas Isle, Donsol, Sorsogon, Philippines
M
400cm
Died when caught in a gill net. Gordon Hubbell has Jaws
48
8 Jun 09
Taitung, Chenggong, Taiwan
F
390cm
Was sold for NT$18,000 (US$549) to a local shark museum where it will be displayed as a preserved specimen.
49
9 Jul 09
Praia Grande, Cabo Frio, Rio de Janeiro Brazil
M
539cm
According to LIMA,M.L.; RENNÓ,B. & SICILIANO,S. 2009. Gigante dos mares em areias fluminenses. Ciencia Hoje, Vol. 44, Setembro, 56-57. Part of the specimen was consumed by the locals.
50
6 Nov 09
Tortugas Bay, West Coast of Baja California, Mexico
M
180cm
Caught in a net and killed by the same boat that caught Megamouth 38 on 16th. Nov 06
51
25 Apr 10
Off South East China
M
approx 400cm
Caught and Killed. Only skin and jaws left.
52
19 Jun 10
Eastern Taiwan
?
700cm
Caught and Killed. Only jaws left.
53
2010
Pamilacan Island, Bohol, Philippines
?
?
Caught and Killed. Only jaws left.
54
14 Jan 11
Owase, Mie Pref. Japan
F
approx 500cm
Was trapped in nets. Filmed and later killed.
55
24 Jun 11
Shizuoka pref, Japan
F
540cm
Caught in a set net. Since March 2012 the specimen has been exhibited at the Main Rest House, Churaumi Plaza. Scientific Paper
57
30 Nov 11
50km off port of Santa Rosa de Salinas Santa Elena province, Ecuador
F
243cm
he f/v “María josé ii” caught specimen in a gillnet at 2°7.902’ s, 81°23.883’ w,
58
Jan 12
East Sea of China
F
approx 570cm
Caught and Killed
59
5 Jul 12
Negombo fisheries harbour, Sri Lanka
?
?
Caught and Killed
60
30 Mar 12
Cope or Montañita Seamount” 1°49.936’ s, 81°3.584’ w, (currently declared as) “Bajo Cope” Marine Reserve province of Santa Elena Ecuador
M
?
The specimen was sliced and sold on the local fish market Caraguay in Guayaquil
61
16 Oct 12
Eastern Taiwan
F
429 - 640cm
Caught and killed. Tail broke off when it was being hauled into the harbour. The organs were preserved and donated to a university and the flesh was sold.
62
Jan 13
Sagami Bay, Shizuoka, Japan
F
487cm
Filmed and Released for Discovery Shark Week 2013 - Alien Sharks
63
18 Apr 13
Hualien County, Taiwan
F
387cm
Caught in a drift net. Dead
64
28 Apr 13
Hualien County, Taiwan
F
250cm
Caught in a drift net. Dead
65
30 Apr 13
Hualien County, Taiwan
M
320cm
Caught in a drift net. Dead
66
5 May 13
Hualien County, Taiwan
M
500cm
Caught in a drift net. Dead
67
6 May 13
Hualien County, Taiwan
M
477cm
Caught in a drift net. Dead
68
6 May 13
Hualien County, Taiwan
M
377cm
Caught in a drift net. Dead
69
7 May 13
Hualien County, Taiwan
M
385cm
Caught in a drift net. Dead
70
8 May 13
Hualien County, Taiwan
F
413cm
Caught in a drift net. Dead
71
16 May 13
Hualien County, Taiwan
F
545cm
Caught in a drift net. Dead
72
18 May 13
Hualien County, Taiwan
F
552cm
Caught in a drift net. Dead
73
18 May 13
Hualien County, Taiwan
F
524cm
Caught in a drift net. Dead
74
19 May 13
Hualien County, Taiwan
F
509cm
Caught in a drift net. Dead
75
19 May 13
Hualien County, Taiwan
M
395cm
Caught in a drift net. Dead
76
21 May 13
Hualien County, Taiwan
M
363cm
Caught in a drift net. Dead
77
23 May 13
Hualien County, Taiwan
F
435cm
Caught in a drift net. Dead
78
30 May 13
Hualien County, Taiwan
F
426cm
Caught in a drift net. Dead
79
10 Jun 13
Hualien County, Taiwan
F
400cm
Caught in a drift net. Dead
80
10 Jun 13
Hualien County, Taiwan
F
398cm
Caught in a drift net. Dead
81
10 Jul 13
Hualien County, Taiwan
F
463cm
Caught in a drift net. Dead
82
10 Jul 13
Hualien County, Taiwan
F
484cm
Caught in a drift net. Dead
83
10 Jul 13
Hualien County, Taiwan
M
380cm
Caught in a drift net. Dead
84
17 Jul 13
Hualien County, Taiwan
F
631cm
Caught in a drift net. Dead
85
6 Sep 13
Manazuru, Japan
F
577cm
Caught and killed.
86
1 Feb 14
Santa Rosa de Salinas Santa Elena province, Ecuador
M
800-900 cm
the f/v “SIEMPRE CHEO” had the fins of a megamouth shark. The specimen on record was a male about 8-9 m in total length, according to fishermen (about the same size as the boat).
88
14 Apr 14
Yui, Shizuoka pref. Japan
F
440cm
89
5 May 14
Hualien County, Taiwan
F
341cm
Caught in a drift net. Dead
90
22 May 14
Hualien County, Taiwan
F
352cm
Caught in a drift net. Dead
91
30 May 14
Hualien County, Taiwan
F
660cm
Caught in a drift net. Dead
92
31 May 14
Hualien County, Taiwan
M
478cm
Caught in a drift net. Dead
93
31 May 14
Hualien County, Taiwan
M
377cm
Caught in a drift net. Dead
94
2 Jun 14
Hualien County, Taiwan
M
370cm
Caught in a drift net. Dead
95
2 Jun 14
Hualien County, Taiwan
F
517cm
Caught in a drift net. Dead
96
4 Jun 14
Hualien County, Taiwan
M
390cm
Caught in a drift net. Dead
97
8 Jun 14
Hualien County, Taiwan
M
370cm
Caught in a drift net. Dead
98
23 Jun 14
Barangay 2, Pobalcion, Tubay, Agusan Del Norte Philippines
?
?
Caught and released alive.
99
30 Jun 14
Cagayan de Oro Philippines
F
548cm
100
3 Aug 14
Hualien County, Taiwan
F
366cm
Caught in a drift net. Dead
101
28 Jan 15
Pio Duran, Albay, Bicol Region, Luzon, Philippines
M
460cm
Conflicting reports say that the shark was found floating near Catundulan Point and was brought to shore OR caught in a fishing net and brought to shore. The shark was captured by 39-year-old Edgar Chavez – a fisherman from Barangay Marigondon in Pioduran, Albay – and his companions. The body was preserved and is displayed at the Albay Parks and Wildlife for scientific study
102
21 Mar 15
Barangay Bayabas, Cagayan de Oro City Philippines
F
approx 365cm
103
14 May 15
Hualien County, Taiwan
F
502cm
Caught in a drift net. Dead
104
15 May 15
Hualien County, Taiwan
F
307cm
Caught in a drift net. Dead
105
31 May 15
Hualien County, Taiwan
M
540cm
Caught in a drift net. Dead
107
5 Jun 15
Hualien County, Taiwan
F
386cm
Caught in a drift net. Dead
108
8 Jun 15
Hualien County, Taiwan
M
456cm
Caught in a drift net. Dead
109
10 Jun 15
Hualien County, Taiwan
F
535cm
Caught in a drift net. Dead
110
16 Jun 15
Hualien County, Taiwan
F
521cm
Caught in a drift net. Dead
111
24 Jun 15
Hualien County, Taiwan
F
440cm
Caught in a drift net. Dead
112
23 Jul 15
Hualien County, Taiwan
F
290cm
Caught in a drift net. Dead
113
27 Jul 15
Hualien County, Taiwan
F
247cm
Caught in a drift net. Dead
114
Nov 15
Balingasag, Misamis Oriental, Philippines
F
247cm
Caught with net by fisherman, butchered and eaten by locals.
115
24 Dec 15
Banderas Bay Beach, State of Nayarit, Mexico
?
530cm
The shark was stranded onshore. The body could not be recovered.
117
10 Dec 16
Mojacasabe Beach, Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico
F
457cm
Found Stranded on the beach. Scientific Paper
118
1 May 17
Barangay Baluarte, Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental Philippines
?
approx 300cm
Washed ashore dead. Was buried.
119
12 May 17
Hualien County, Taiwan
F
440cm
Caught in a drift net. Dead
120
16 May 17
Hualien County, Taiwan
M
484cm
Caught and sold to a fish restaurant.
121
21 May 17
Hualien County, Taiwan
F
480cm
Caught in a drift net. Dead
SPECIAL THANKS
to the following Friends for allowing me to use some of their photos on this page.
JONATHON TREE THE ENVIRONMENT & ANIMAL SOCIETY OF TAIWAN (EAST)
BARRY HUTCHINS WESTERN AUSTRALIAN MUSEUM
MARK McGROUTHER AUSTRALIAN MUSEUM FISH SITE
TOM HAIGHT WWW.OCEANIMAGES.COM
DON PETERSEN NOAA FISHERIES – SOUTHWEST REGION
TON EGBERS LUMBA LUMBA DIVING CENTRE
ELSON ELIZAGA MEGAMOUTHS 11 & 28
TEODORA BAGARINAO SEAFDEC PHILIPPINES
ARNEL YAPTINCHAY MARINE WILDLIFE WATCH OF THE PHILIPPINES
VICTOR LIN
and to
Paul Clerkin
Shaleyla Kelez, ecOceanica, Peru
Huahsun Hsu / George Chen of Shark Research Center, National Taiwan Ocean University
Florida Museum of Natural History
Taku Horie, PH.D, Department of Marine Biology. Tokai Univ. Japan
for their help.
Megamouth #23
This Specimen washed up on the Gapang beach, Sumatra, right in front of Ton Egbers house. Ton writes: I think there can be no doubt anymore that the shark specimen that washed ashore here today on Gapang Beach, less than 30 meters away from our doorstep, literally, is the rare shark species Megachasma pelagios. The shark must have died only somewhat earlier, as it wasn’t even smelly at all. Total length is 177 cm, standard length (precaudal) 115 and caudal length 62. Pectorals are 33. | ||
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(click small images to enlarge) Sharkman Comments: Megamouth 23 (nicknamed MEMO Jr.) is now having a series of tests done at the LIPI in Jakarta. Sharkman’s World will be keeping you informed of the developments in this story. I would like to thank Ton for passing on the Info and for allowing me to use his photos. Ton’s homepage is | ||
