Deep trouble: the race to save one of the world’s most mysterious sharks
Deep beneath the ocean’s surface, at depths few have ever seen, lives a group of extraordinary and unusual predators: gulper sharks.
These deep-sea dwellers have been around for millions of years, silently playing a crucial role in maintaining the balance of marine ecosystems. But today, their future is uncertain.
Despite their remote habitat, gulper sharks are among the most threatened shark species in the world. Targeted for their high-value liver oil, which is used in cosmetics and health supplements, they are being pushed towards extinction at an alarming rate.
CC BY 4.0. © Melissa Romao
Ancient predators with a fragile future
Gulper sharks belong to the deep-sea Centrophoridae family and are built for survival in extreme environments. But their biological makeup, which has helped them endure for millennia, also makes them highly vulnerable to overfishing.
These sharks grow slowly, mature late — some species taking more than 20 years to reach adulthood — and produce very few offspring. Some give birth to just one pup every two to three years. This means that even small increases in fishing pressure can cause devastating population declines.
With growing concerns over their survival, global discussions on their protection are gaining momentum — and the upcoming CITES Standing Committee will be a crucial turning point.
New research, published in Science earlier this year, reveals a sobering reality: 11 of the 15 gulper shark species are now considered threatened, making them one of the most endangered groups of sharks in the world. Their numbers have plummeted by as much as 80% in some regions, with little regulation to curb their exploitation.
Glenn Sant, a co-author on this paper and Senior Advisor – Fisheries at TRAFFIC, said: Gulper sharks are among the most vulnerable deepwater species, with nearly three-quarters of them now classified as threatened. Their slow reproduction rates and high-value liver oil trade put them at extreme risk of overexploitation. We are at a pivotal moment — this year’s CITES discussions provide a critical opportunity to ensure these sharks receive the attention they urgently need. Without action, we risk irreversible declines.”
The silent threat: demand for deep-sea liver oil
Unlike many shark species targeted for their fins or meat, gulpers are prized for a different reason: their liver oil. Gulper shark livers contain exceptionally high concentrations of squalene, a compound widely used in skincare products, vaccines, and dietary supplements. As demand for natural ingredients in cosmetics and health products has soared, so too has the pressure on deepwater shark populations.
Once considered unwanted bycatch, gulper sharks are now actively targeted by fisheries worldwide. Their liver oil trade is largely unregulated, with little oversight on sustainability or species-specific catch limits. Without intervention, these slow-growing sharks could disappear before we fully understand their role in ocean ecosystems.
A critical moment: the road to CITES COP20
The ongoing decline of gulper sharks has raised red flags in international conservation discussions. As early as 2004, the CITES Animals Committee recognized these species as being at risk, but little action has followed. With new research highlighting their worsening status, urgent steps are needed to prevent further depletion.
At the CITES Standing Committee meeting on 3–8 February 2025, countries will review the latest evidence and determine next steps for regulating the trade of gulper sharks. This could include the following:
Recommending stricter trade regulations to prevent unsustainable exploitation.
Gathering global data on gulper shark catches and trade routes to better understand the scale of the issue.
Laying the groundwork for a potential CITES listing at COP20 in Uzbekistan later this year, which would bring international oversight to the trade of these vulnerable species.
The time for action is now
Gulper sharks are on the edge of collapse, yet their plight remains largely unnoticed.
If these deep-sea predators vanish, the consequences could ripple through entire marine ecosystems. Urgent steps must be taken to improve fisheries management, enforce sustainable trade practices, and ensure that these ancient sharks are not lost forever.
The upcoming CITES discussions offer a rare chance to turn the tide before it’s too late. The world must act now to secure a future for gulper sharks and the fragile deep-sea ecosystems they call home.
