More megamouth sharks records discovered.

 Following the discovery of the mama Megamouth shark (Megachasma pelagios) last week (read here), more records have been recovered. Mama Megamouth was at first reported as being specimen #279 has now been renumbered to #284.

During research I was doing following the three strandings in the Philippines last week, data was passed on to me about another 4 records from the Philippines that i was not aware of. These 4 records were from April 2013, June 2015, November 2020 and July 2021. I also discovered a second stranding in South Africa in November 2009.

South Africa in November 2009.

As more records of catches and strandings are reported, the need for protection for this species becomes nore urgent.

Stranded Megamouth Shark was about to give birth.

  14th. November 2023.

I have just received news and photos of a Megamouth shark (Megachasma pelagios) that was found dead stranded on a beach in  Barangay Ipil, Dipaculao Aurora, Philippines. This female Megamouth was pregnant and was giving birth In fact, one pup was discovered next to her another 6 pups were discovered inside her.

As details are still coming in, this is already a huge discovery as it will give us more data especially about birth sizes and breeding grounds.

This is the third Megamouth Shark found within a week in the Philippines. The two other discoveries were reported from Negros and Hinunangan, all sharks were dead. This brings the total of known records to 279.