Voice of the Comoros: Sharks of the Deep

What can the deep ocean tell us about the future of sharks in the Comoros?

Come below the surface on the ‘First Descent: Comoros’ expedition. This hopeful film reveals the rich diversity of shark species between 300m and 900m. Using deep-water landers, cameras captured frequent sightings of deep-water species such as:

• Deep-water species, like sixgills and catsharks
• Midwater visitors, like juvenile tiger sharks

These sightings are particularly valuable, because in nearby heavily fished areas like Raya Bank, pelagic camera surveys recorded no sharks at all. The deep-water landers, however, tell a different story – suggesting that some shark populations in the deep ocean remain relatively healthy and may offer a glimpse of resilience within Comoros’ marine ecosystems.

If sharks are thriving in deeper waters, what could this mean for the rest of the Comoros’ marine ecosystems?

And more importantly: does this show what could be possible with strong protection and effective management?