Sharkman's World: The Megamouth Shark

Megachasma pelagios

The Megamouth Shark

Date: 15th November 1976

Location: Approx. 25 miles off the coast Oahu, Hawaii

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, The Megamouth Shark.

The First Megamouth Shark discovered

in Hawaii on Nov.15th. 1976

Eight years after the original discovery, a second Male specimen was brought up dead, in a fishing net off the coast of California.

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.

294 Megamouth sharks are being listed here.

15 Nov 76
Oahu, Hawaii, Male. 446cm. 750kg. Entangled in a chute. On display at Bernice P. Bishop Museum Honolulu, Hawaii. Photo Photos 2 Paper 1 Paper 2 Paper 3 Paper 4 Paper 5 Paper 6

29 Nov 84

Catalina Island, California, USA. Male. 449cm. ~ 700kg. Died soon after being discovered caught in a drift gillnet. On display at Los Angeles County Museum. Photo Paper 1 Paper 2 Paper 3 Paper 4 Paper 5

18 Aug 88.

Mandurah, Australia, Male 515cm. 690kg. Died soon after being found stranded. On display at Western Australia Museum. Photo Paper 1 Paper 2 Paper 3 Paper 4 Paper 5 Paper 6 Paper 7

23 Jan 89

Hamamatsu City, Japan. Male 400+cm. It was dead when found stranded. This specimen was lost when it was washed back to the sea. Photo Paper 1 Paper 2 Paper 3 Paper 4

12 Jun 89

Suruga Bay, Japan. Female?. 494cm. Was found netted and released Alive. Paper 1 Paper 2 Paper 3

21 Oct 90

Dana Point, California, USA. Male. 490cm. Captured in a drift gillnet. Released alive after 39h and Tracked for 50.5h. Photo, Video Paper 1 Paper 2 Paper 3 Paper 4

29 Nov 94

Gannosu, Hakata Bay, Japan. Female. 471cm. 790kg. Found stranded on beach. On display at Marine World Fukuoka, Japan. Photo Paper 1 Paper 2 Paper 3 Paper 4 Paper 5 Paper 6 Paper 7 Paper 8 Paper 9 Paper 10 Paper 11

4 May 95

Dakar, Senegal. Male. 180cm. Discarded Paper 1 Paper 2 Paper 3

18 Sept 95

Southern Brazil. Male. 190cm. 24kg. Caught on a longline. On display at Instituto de Pesca, São Paulo, Brazil. Photo Paper 1 Paper 2 Paper 3

30 Apr 97

Owase City, Mikisaki, Mie, Japan. Female. 544cm. 1040kg. Caught in a purse seine net. Preserved at Toba Aquarium. Photo Paper 1 Paper 2 Paper 3 Paper 4 Paper 5 Paper 6 Paper 7

20 Feb 98

Macajalar Bay, Cagayan de Oro, Macajalar Bay, Philippines. Male. 549cm. Found in a gill net. Consumed. Photo Paper 1 Paper 2 Paper 3 Paper 4

23 Apr 98

Mihama-cho, Atawa, Mie, Japan. Female. 549cm. Caught in a set net. Discarded, Paper 1 Paper 2 Paper 3

30 Aug 98

Nain, Manado, North Sulawesi, Indonesia. Female. ca.500cm. Sighted being attacked by a pod of 3 Sperm Whales and Swam Away. Some reports indicate 30 July and a pod of Orcas!

Photo Paper 1 Paper 2 Paper 3

1 Oct 99

W of San Diego, California, USA. Female. 518cm. Caught in a gill net. Released Alive. Photo Paper 1 Paper 2 Paper 3

19 Oct 01

NW of San Diego, California, USA. Male. 548cm. Caught in a gill net. Released Alive. Photo Paper 1 Paper 2

18 Jan 02

East Indian Ocean. Male 235cm. 120kg. Tuna purse seine, discarded Dead. Photo Paper 1 Paper 2

20 Apr 02

Natures Valley, Plettenberg Bay, South Africa. Female. ~460cm. 260kg. Washed Ashore

Dead. On display at Port Elisabeth Museum, South Africa. Photo Photo 2 Paper 1 Paper 2 Paper 3

6 Jan 03

Cagayan de Oro, Macajalar Bay, Philippines. Female. 497cm. Caught in a gill net. Consumed Photo Paper 1 Paper 2

26 May 03

Dana Point, California, USA. 610 - 760cm. Sighting. Paper 1 Paper 2

3 Jul 03

Hualien Province, Taiwan. Male. 250cm. 490kg. Consumed. Photo, Paper 1 Paper 2

7 Aug 03

Omaezaki, Sizuoka, Japan. Male. 430cm. 460kg. Found Dead in a purse seine net and kept at Tokai University. Photo More Photos Paper 1 Paper 2

8 Mar 04

85.37 km from the port of Posorja, (province of Guayas), Ecuador. Male. 420cm. 600kg. Caught in a gillnet and Consumed. Photo Paper 1 Paper 2 Paper 3

13 Mar 04

Gapang Beach, Sumatra, Indonesia. Male 176cm. 13.82kg. Washed Ashore Dead. On display at LIPI Museum, Chibinong, Jakarta. Photo More Photos Paper 1 Paper 2 Paper 3

19 Apr 04

Tokyo Bay, Ichihara City, Japan. Female. 563cm. 1215kg. Washed Ashore Dead. Kept on display. Photo Paper 1 Paper 2

23 Apr 04

Ajiro, Shizuoka, Japan. Female. ca. 490cm. Caught in a set net. Discarded. Photo Paper 1 Paper 2

04 Nov 04

Namocon Beach, Tigbauan, Iloilo Philippines. Female. 504cm. 1000kg. Stranded on beach and Died later. Now on display at SEAFDEC Museum. Photo Paper 1 Paper 2

23 Jan 05

Kisei cho Nishiki, Mie, Japan. Female. 528cm. Dead. Captured with a purse seine. Photo Paper 1 Paper 2

30 Jan 05

Barangay Agusan, Macajalar Bay, Cagayan de Oro, Philippines. Female. 417cm. ~1000kg. Died after being Captured in net. Photo Paper 1 Paper 2

25 Apr 05

Hualien, Eastern Taiwan. 630kg. Caught in a trawl net. Was consumed. Paper 1 Paper 2

2 May 05

Hualien, Eastern Taiwan. 580-680kg. Caught in a trawling net. Was consumed. Paper 1 Paper 2

4 May 05

Fengpin, Hualien, Eastern Taiwan. Female. 487cm. 689kg. Caught in trawling net. Dead. Taken to Research Museum and Academia Sinica. Photo Paper 1 Paper 2 Paper 3

5 May 05

Chisingtan, Hualien, Eastern Taiwan. Female. 483cm. 807kg. Caught in a trawling net. Believed to be pregnant but not confirmed. Taken to the National Museum of Marine Biology and Aquarium. Photo Paper 1 Paper 2 Paper 3

5 Jun 05

Hualien, Eastern Taiwan. Male. 350/400cm. 400-500kg. Caught in a drift net. Dead. Photo Paper 1 Paper 2

11 Dec 05
Indian Ocean (Maldives and Chagos), 300cm. 186kg. Caught in a purse seine net and released. Alive Paper 1

26 Jan 06

Bayawan City, Central Visayas, island of Negros, Philippines. Female. 500cm. 750kg. Accidental capture by fishermen in a gill net. Died before it could be set free. Photo Paper 1 Paper 2

12 Mar 06

Barra, Macajalar Bay, Cagayan de Oro, Philippines. Female. 226cm. 60-80kg. Was dead when it reached the shore after being entangled by a fisherman's gill net. Photo Paper 1 Paper 2

23 Mar 06

Zhejiang, China. Female. 470cm. 650kg. Caught and killed. Photo Paper 1 Paper 2

2 May 06

Sagami Bay, Yugawara, (Kanagawa pref), Japan. Female. 567cm. 1105kg. Found alive in a fixed shore net but it died before it could be released. Put on display at Keikyu Aburatsubo marine park (in Kanagawa) Japan. Photo More Photos Exhibit Photo Video Paper 1 Paper 2

16 Nov 06

Sebastián Vizcaíno Bay. Tortugas, West Coast of Baja California, Mexico. Female. 227cm. 27kg. Caught in a gill net. Was later donated to the Scripps Institute of Oceanography (SIO), La Jolla, California, USA. Photo Paper 1 Paper 2 Paper 3 Paper 4

30 May 07

Barangay Tungkob, Minglanilla town, Cebu, Philippines. 249cm. 40-50kg. Shark found alive with hole in the head. Died later. Paper 1

7 Jun 07

Sagami Bay, Shizuoka, Japan. Female. 540cm. Found alive in a fixed shore net. The shark was tagged and released. Photo More Photos Video Paper 1 Paper 2

9 Jul 07

Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan. Female. 367cm. 361kg. Shark was caught in a purse seine net and died. It was kept frozen until it went on display Churaumi Aquarium in 2011. Photo Paper 1 Paper 2 Paper 3 Paper 4 Paper 5

23 Sep 07

Baja California, México. A scientific observer reported the capture and release of a large megamouth shark from a gillnet in an area between Cedros Island and San Benito Islands. Paper 1 Paper 2

27 Sep 07

Hinunangan, So Lyete, Philippines. 274cm. Found Dead Stranded On Beach. Photo Photo 2 Paper 1

30 Jun 08

Taiwan, Male. 200kg. Caught and killed. Photo Paper 1

10 Jul 08

Taiwan. Male. 500/550cm. 870kg. Caught, killed and consumed. Photo Paper 1

5 Sep 08

Hinunangan, So Lyete, Philippines. 213cm. Found Stranded On Beach and was pushed back into the sea. Paper 1

30 Mar 09

Eastern Coast of Burioas Isle, Donsol, Sorsogon, Philippines. Male. 400cm. 500kg. Died when caught in a gill net. Gordon Hubbell has Jaws. Photo Paper 1

8 Jun 09

Taitung, Chenggong, Taiwan. Female, 390cm. 350kg. Was sold for NT$18,000 (US$549) to a local shark museum where it will be displayed. Photo Paper 1

9 Jul 09

Praia Grande, Cabo Frio, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Male. 539cm. According to LIMA,M.L.; RENNÓ,B. & SICILIANO,S. 2009. Gigante dos mares em areias fluminenses. Ciencia Hoje, Vol. 44, Setembro, 56-57. : The shark was found stranded and killed. Part of the specimen was consumed by the locals. Photo, Report Paper 1

28 Oct 09
Tortugas Bay, West Coast of Baja California, Mexico. Male. 180cm. Caught in a net and killed by the same boat that caught Megamouth 39 on 16th. Nov 06 Photo Paper 1 Paper 2

6 Nov 09
Mazeppa Bay, south Africa. +300cm Found washed up on beach. Advanced stage of decomposition. Coordinates 32 27’ S, 28 39’ E . Photo

25 Apr 10

Off South East China. Male. 400cm. 1000kg. Caught and Killed. Only skin and jaws left. Photo Paper 1

19 Jun 10

Eastern Taiwan. 700cm. ~770kg. Caught and Killed. Only jaws left. Photo Paper 1

23 Jun 10

Shizuoka pref., Japan. Female. 570cm. Dead. Referenced in Paper 1 Paper 2

2010
Pamilacan Island, Bohol, Philippines. Caught and Killed. Only evidence is a 93cm. wide dried jaw displayed at Junior and Mesiang's Pamilacan Island Cottages in Bohol. Photo Paper 1

14 Jan 11
Owase, Mie Pref. Japan. Female. 500cm. Was trapped in nets. Filmed and later killed. Photo Paper 1

27 May 11
Muroto, Kochi, Japan. ~300cm. Dead. Caught in set net. Paper 1 Paper 2

12 Jun 11
Baja California, Mexico. Male. 300cm Dead. Found dead in gill net. Paper 1 Paper 2

24 Jun 11
Shizuoka pref, Japan. Female. 540cm. Caught in a set net. Since March 2012 the specimen has been exhibited at the Main Rest House, Churaumi Plaza. Photo Paper 1 Paper 2 Paper 3

1 Jul 11
West Sagami Bay, Kanagawa Pref, Japan. Female. 370cm. Caught and Killed. Photo, More photos Video Paper 1

30 Nov 11
50km off port of Santa Rosa de Salinas, Santa Elena province, Ecuador. Female. 243cm. 90.9kg. Dead. The f/v “María josé ii” caught specimen in a gillnet at 2°7.902’ s, 81°23.883’ w. Photo Paper 1 Paper 2

Jan 12
East Sea of China. Female. 565-570cm. 1150/1250kg. Caught and Killed. Photo Paper 1

30 Mar 12
Cope or Montañita Seamount”, (currently declared as “Bajo Cope” Marine Reserve), province of Santa Elena, Ecuador. Male. Caught in a gill net. The specimen was sliced and sold on the local fish market Caraguay in Guayaquil. Photo Paper 1 Paper 2

5 Jul 12
Negombo fisheries harbour, Sri Lanka. Female. 180cm. Location (7812′ 11.67′′N 79849′44.35′E) Caught in gillnet and discarded. Photos Paper 1 Paper 2

16 Oct 12
Eastern Taiwan. Female, Between 429 - 640cm. 800-900kg. 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. Photo Paper 1 Paper 2

4 Nov 12
San Diego, California., USA Paper 1 Paper 2

4 Nov 12
San Diego, California, USA. Paper 1 Paper 2

27 Jan 13
Kuki-misaki, Mie, Japan. Dead. Caught in a set net. Paper 1 Paper 2

27 Jan 13
Kuki-misaki, Mie, Japan. Female. 450cm. Dead. Caught in a set net. Paper 1 Paper 2

Jan 13
Sagami Bay, Shizuoka, Japan. Female. 487cm. Filmed and Released for Discovery Shark Week 2013 - Alien Sharks Photos Video Paper 1

18 Apr 13

Hualien County, Taiwan. Female. 387cm. 366kg. Caught in a drift net. Dead. Paper 1 Paper 2

21 Apr 13
Buenavista, Agusan del Norte, Philippines. Male 247cm. Was found stranded. Dead Photo

28 Apr 13

Hualien County, Taiwan. Female. 250cm. 250kg. Caught in a drift net. Dead. Paper 1

30 Apr 13

Hualien County, Taiwan. Female. 373cm. 383kg. Caught in a drift net. Dead. Paper 1 Paper 2

5 May 13

Hualien County, Taiwan. Male. 500cm. 565kg. Caught in a drift net. Dead. Paper 1

6 May 13

Hualien County, Taiwan. Female. 476cm. 1090kg. Caught in a drift net. Dead. Paper 1 Paper 2

6 May 13

Hualien County, Taiwan. Male. 368cm. 413kg. Caught in a drift net. Dead. Paper 1 Paper 2

7 May 13

Hualien County, Taiwan. Male. 385cm. 328kg. Caught in a drift net. Dead. Paper 1 Paper 2

8 May 13

Hualien County, Taiwan. Male. 413cm. 408kg. Caught in a drift net. Dead. Paper 1 Paper 2

10 May 13
Hualien County, Taiwan. Female. 400cm. 356kg. Caught in a drift net. Dead. Paper 1

16 May 13

Hualien County, Taiwan. Female. 545cm. 910kg. Caught in a drift net. Dead. Paper 1

18 May 13

Hualien County, Taiwan. Female. 552cm. 452kg. Caught in a drift net. Dead. Paper 1 Paper 2

18 May 13

Hualien County, Taiwan. Female. 524cm. 516kg. Caught in a drift net. Dead. Paper 1 Paper 2

19 May 13

Hualien County, Taiwan. Female. 509cm. 360kg. Caught in a drift net. Dead. Paper 1

19 May 13

Hualien County, Taiwan. Male. 395cm. 320kg. Caught in a drift net. Dead. Paper 1 Paper 2

21 May 13

Hualien County, Taiwan. Male. 363cm. 320kg. Caught in a drift net. Dead. Paper 1 Paper 2

23 May 13

Hualien County, Taiwan. Female. 453cm. 650kg. Caught in a drift net. Dead. Paper 1

30 May 13

Hualien County, Taiwan. Female. 426cm. 516kg. Caught in a drift net. Dead. Paper 1 Paper 2

10 Jun 13

Hualien County, Taiwan. Female. 400cm. 356kg. Caught in a drift net. Dead. Paper 1

13 Jun 13
Hualien County, Taiwan. Male. 380cm. 348kg. Caught in a drift net. Dead. Paper 1 Paper 2

10 Jul 13

Hualien County, Taiwan. Female. 463cm. 549kg. Caught in a drift net. Dead. Paper 1 Paper 2

10 Jul 13

Hualien County, Taiwan. Male. 484cm. 653kg. Caught in a drift net. Dead. Paper 1 Paper 2

10 Jul 13

Hualien County, Taiwan. Female. 398cm. 348kg. Caught in a drift net. Dead. Paper 1 Paper 2

17 Jul 13

Hualien County, Taiwan. Female. 710cm. 1147kg. Caught in a drift net. Dead. Paper 1
Paper 2

6 Sep 13

Manazuru, Japan. Female. 577cm. Caught and killed. Photo Paper 1

26 Nov 13
San Diego, California, USA. Caught in a gill net. Paper 1 Paper 2

27 Nov 13
San Diego, California, USA. Caught in a gill net. Paper 1 Paper 2

1 Feb 14
Santa Rosa de Salinas, Santa Elena province, Ecuador. Male. 582-650 cm. The f/v “SIEMPRE CHEO” had the fins of a megamouth shark. According to fishermen (about the same size as the boat). The coordinates where it was captured were 2°24.984’ s, 81°16.958’w. Photo Paper 1 Paper 2

14 Mar 14
Sabang West, Philippines. Female. ~400cm. Washed ashore dead. Photo Video Paper 1

14 Apr 14
Yui, Shizuoka pref. Japan. Female. 446cm. 677kg. Caught and killed. Kept frozen at Tokai University. Photos Video Paper 1

5 May 14
Hualien County, Taiwan. Female. 341cm. 916kg. Caught in a drift net. Dead Paper 1 Paper 2

22 May 14
Hualien County, Taiwan. Female. 352cm. 210kg. Caught in a drift net. Dead Paper 1 Paper 2

30 May 14
Hualien County, Taiwan. Female. 660cm. 752kg. Caught in a drift net. Dead Paper 1 Paper 2

31 May 14
Hualien County, Taiwan. Male. 478cm. 532kg. Caught in a drift net. Dead Paper 1 Paper 2

31 May 14
Hualien County, Taiwan. Male. 377cm. 277kg. Caught in a drift net. Dead Paper 1 Paper 2

31 May 14
Hualien County, Taiwan. Male. 517cm. 734kg. Caught in a drift net. Dead Paper 1 Paper 2

2 Jun 14
Hualien County, Taiwan. Male. 370cm. 355kg. Caught in a drift net. Dead Paper 1 Paper 2

4 Jun 14
Hualien County, Taiwan. Male. 390cm. 490kg. Caught in a drift net. Dead Paper 1 Paper 2

8 Jun 14
Hualien County, Taiwan. Male. 370cm. 296kg. Caught in a drift net. Dead Paper 1 Paper 2

23 Jun 14
Barangay 2, Pobalcion, Tubay, Agusan Del Norte, Philippines. ~300cm. ~1000kg. Caught and released alive. Photo Video Paper 1

30 Jun 14
Cagayan de Oro, Philippines. Female. 548cm. 500kg. Caught in a net and dead on shore. Skin to be put on display at D' Bone Collector Museum in Davao City. Photo Paper 1

3 Aug 14
Hualien County, Taiwan. Female. 366cm. 330kg. Caught in a drift net. Dead Paper 1 Paper 2

24 Dec 14
Izu, Shizuoka, Japan. -500cm Paper 1 Paper 2

28 Jan 15
Pio Duran, Albay, Bicol Region, Luzon, Philippines. Male. 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. Photo Photo 2 Photo 3 Photo 4 Paper 1

21 Mar 15
Barangay Bayabas, Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines. Female. -365cm. Caught and died in a net by fisherman Jojo Cabatua. Was buried on site. Photo Video Paper 1

14 May 15
Hualien County, Taiwan. Female. 290cm. 502kg. Caught in a drift net. Dead Paper 1

15 May 15
Hualien County, Taiwan. Female. 345cm. 307kg. Caught in a drift net. Dead Paper 1 Paper 2

31 May 15
Hualien County, Taiwan. Male. 310cm. 540kg. Caught in a drift net. Dead Paper 1

2 Jun 15
Nghe An Provance, Vietnam. -500cm. 540kg. Washed ashore dead. Photo More info Paper 1

5 Jun 15
Hualien County, Taiwan. Female. 386cm. 510kg. Caught in a drift net. Dead Paper 1

8 Jun 15
Hualien County, Taiwan. Male. 456cm. 456kg. Caught in a drift net. Dead Paper 1

10 Jun 15
Hualien County, Taiwan. Female. 535cm. 625kg. Caught in a drift net. Dead Paper 1

15 Jun 15
Pintuyan, Paco, Maasin city, Southern Leyte, Philippines. Caught and butchered by fisherman. Dead. Photo

16 Jun 15
Hualien County, Taiwan. Female. 521cm. 1077kg. Caught in a drift net. Dead Paper 1

24 Jun 15
Hualien County, Taiwan. Female. 440cm. 523kg. Caught in a drift net. Dead Paper 1

23 Jul 15
Hualien County, Taiwan. Female. 290cm. 502kg. Caught in a drift net. Dead Paper 1

27 Jul 15
Hualien County, Taiwan. Female. 247cm. 271kg. Caught in a drift net. Dead Paper 1

Nov 15
Balingasag, Misamis Oriental, Philippines. ~300cm. Caught with net by fisherman, butchered and eaten by locals. Photo Paper 1

24 Dec 15
Banderas Bay Beach, State of Nayarit, Mexico. 530cm. The shark was stranded on shore. The body could not be recovered. Photo Paper 1

15 Apr 16
Owase City, Mie, Japan. Female. -500cm. 907kg. Caught and died in a set net. I have serious doubts about the reported size. If the shark is 5m long than the guy next to it must be over 3m tall!! Photos Video Paper 1

May 16 Hualien County, Eastern Taiwan. Paper 1 Paper 2

May 16 Hualien County, Eastern Taiwan. Paper 1 Paper 2

21 Nov 16

Piura region, Paita district, Yacila, Peru. -350cm. Caught in driftnet and released alive. Photo Paper 1 Paper 2

31 Jul 16
Gabon. Female. 184cm. 45kg. Caught in a tuna seine net and released Alive. Paper 1

10 Dec 16

Mojacasabe Beach, Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico. Female. 457cm. Found Stranded on the beach. Photos Paper 1 Paper 2

1 May 17

Barangay Baluarte, Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental, Philippines. ~300cm. ~600kg. Washed ashore dead. Was buried. Photo Paper 1

12 May 17

Hualien County, Taiwan. Female. 440cm. 498kg. Caught in a drift net. Dead. Paper 1

16 May 17

Hualien County, Taiwan. Male. 484cm. 705kg. Caught and sold to a fish restaurant. Photo Paper 1

21 May 17

Hualien County, Taiwan. Female. 480cm. 617kg. Caught in a drift net. Dead. Paper 1

22 May 17

Tateyama, Chiba Prefecture, Japan. Female. 540cm. 1219kg. Found Alive in a Net. Was later transferred to another ocean net were it sadly died whilst so called scientists observed her!! The Skeleton of this shark was put on display at the Kamogawa Seaworld. Photo More Photos Video Video 2 Display Video Paper 1 Paper 2

26 May 17

Kumano Sea, Mie Prefecture, Japan. Female. 510cm. Caught in a net and later released. Photo Paper 1

26 May 17
Hualien County, Taiwan. Male. 295cm. 625kg. Caught in a drift net. Dead Paper 1

31 May 17
Hualien County, Taiwan. Male. 460cm. 528kg. Caught in a drift net. Dead Paper 1

11 June 17

Pondol, Hinunangan, Southern Leyte, Philippines. Female. 430cm. 600kg. Found stranded and died. Had wounds near belly. Photos Photo 2 Paper 1

23 June 17

Hualien County, Taiwan. Female. 520cm. 910kg. Caught in a drift net. Dead. Paper 1

23 June 17

Hualien County, Taiwan. Female. 390cm. 653kg. Caught in a drift net. Dead. Paper 1

23 June 17

Hualien County, Taiwan. Male. 370cm. 407kg. Caught in a drift net. Dead. Paper 1

15 Jul 17

Hualien County, Taiwan. Female. 490cm. 827kg. Caught in a drift net. Dead. Paper 1

23 Jul 17
Hualien County, Taiwan. Female. 632cm. 969kg. Caught in a drift net. Dead. Paper 1

25 July 17

Shotgun, Komodo Island, Indonesia. Female. -500cm. First ever Megamouth to be encountered and filmed during a dive. Photo Video Paper 1

14 Aug 17

Hualien County, Taiwan. Female. 470cm. 567kg. Caught in a drift net. Dead. Paper 1

25 Aug 17

Hualien County, Taiwan. Female. 480cm. 432kg. Caught in a drift net. Dead. Paper 1

25 Aug 17

Hualien County, Taiwan. Female. 420cm. 335kg. Caught in a drift net. Dead. Paper 1

25 Aug 17

Hualien County, Taiwan. Female. 470cm. 498kg. Caught in a drift net. Dead. Paper 1

11 Feb 18
Bayawan City, Central Visayas, island of Negros. Philippines. Male. 434cm. Died after it was accidentally caught in a gill net. Photos Paper 1

3 Mar 18

Barangay, Balabago, San Joaquin, Iloilo, Philippines. Female. ~400cm. Died after it was caught in a net. Photos Paper 1

22 Apr 18

Hualien County, Taiwan. Female. 534cm. 773kg. Caught in a drift net. Dead Paper 1

3 May 18

Hualien County, Taiwan. 495cm. 613kg. Caught in a drift net. Dead Paper 1

5 May 18

Hualien County, Taiwan. Male. 306cm. 254kg. Caught in a drift net. Dead Paper 1

11 May 18

East coast of Taiwan. Male. 437cm. -1200kg. Tagged and Released by Paul Clerkin. Tag to be recovered in November 2019 Photo Video Paper

16 May 18

Hualien County, Taiwan. Female. 385cm. 420kg. Caught in a drift net. Dead Paper 1

16 May 18

Hualien County, Taiwan. Female. 440cm. 500kg. Caught in a drift net. Dead Paper 1

17 May 18

Hualien County, Taiwan. Male. 433cm. 490kg. Caught in a drift net. Dead Paper 1

17 May 18

Hualien County, Taiwan. Female. 415cm. 329kg. Caught in a drift net. Dead Paper 1

17 May 18

East coast of Taiwan. Male. 410cm. ~650kg. Tagged and Released by Paul Clerkin at Location 23 deg, 57’ N, 121 deg 42 ‘ E. Collected data of 244 days. Plus also 1 month high resolution tag. Video Paper 1 Paper 2

17 May 18

East coast of Taiwan. Female. 605cm. ~1200kg. Named Rebecca. Tagged and Released by Paul Clerkin at Location 23 deg, 57’ N, 121 deg 42 ‘ E. Collected data of 58 days. Photo Video Paper 1 Paper 2

18 May 18
Hualien County, Taiwan. Female. 428cm. 520kg. Caught in a drift net. Dead Paper 1

20 May 18
Hualien County, Taiwan. Female. 455cm. 487kg. Caught in a drift net. Dead Paper 1

22 May 18
Hualien County, Taiwan. Female. 364cm. 456kg. Caught in a drift net. Dead Paper 1

22 May 18
Hualien County, Taiwan. Female. 368cm. 492kg. Caught in a drift net. Dead Paper 1

25 May 18
Hualien County, Taiwan. Male. 500cm. 692kg. Caught in a drift net. Dead Paper 1

25 May 18
Hualien County, Taiwan. Male. 372cm. 436kg. Caught in a drift net. Dead Paper 1

27 May 18
Hualien County, Taiwan. Female. 400cm. 373kg. Caught in a drift net. Dead Paper 1

27 May 18
Hualien County, Taiwan. Female. 445cm. 513kg. Caught in a drift net. Dead Paper 1

28 May 18
Hualien County, Taiwan. Female. 390cm. 372kg. Caught in a drift net. Dead Paper 1

28 May 18
Hualien County, Taiwan. Female. 416cm. 830kg. Caught in a drift net. Dead Paper 1

29 May 18
Hualien County, Taiwan. Male. 570cm. 649kg. Caught in a drift net. Dead Paper 1

29 May 18
Hualien County, Taiwan. Female. 465cm. 500kg. Caught in a drift net. Dead Paper 1

29 May 18
Hualien County, Taiwan. Female. 472cm. 540kg. Caught in a drift net. Dead Paper 1

29 May 18
Hualien County, Taiwan. Male. 404cm. 500kg. Caught in a drift net. Dead Paper 1

29 May 18
Hualien County, Taiwan. Male. 436cm. 530kg. Caught in a drift net. Dead Paper 1

30 May 18
Yilan County, Taiwan. Female. 440cm. 424kg. Caught in a drift net. Dead Paper 1

30 May 18
Yilan County, Taiwan. Male. 360cm. 223kg. Caught in a drift net. Dead Paper 1

3 Jun 18
Hualien County, Taiwan. Female. 440cm. 480kg. Caught in a drift net. Dead Paper 1

3 Jun 18
Hualien County, Taiwan. Female. 463cm. 755kg. Caught in a drift net. Dead Paper 1

7 Jun 18
Hualien County, Taiwan. Female. 417cm. 417kg. Caught in a drift net. Dead Paper 1

7 Jun 18
Hualien County, Taiwan. Male. 445cm. 346kg. Caught in a drift net. Dead Paper 1

8 Jun 18
Hualien County, Taiwan. Female. 493cm. 716kg. Caught in a drift net. Dead Paper 1

8 Jun 18
Hualien County, Taiwan. Female. 399cm. 618kg. Caught in a drift net. Dead Paper 1

13 Jun 18
Hualien County, Taiwan. Male. 380cm. 440kg. Caught in a drift net. Dead Paper 1

13 Jun 18
Hualien County, Taiwan. Male. 370cm. 243kg. Caught in a drift net. Dead Paper 1

13 Jun 18
Hualien County, Taiwan. Male. 445cm. 650kg. Caught in a drift net. Dead Paper 1

13 Jun 18
Hualien County, Taiwan. Male. 453cm. 508kg. Caught in a drift net. Dead Paper 1

17 Jun 18
Hualien County, Taiwan. Male. 370cm. 220kg. Caught in a drift net. Dead Photos Paper 1

17 Jun 18
Hualien County, Taiwan. Male. 390cm. 300kg. Caught in a drift net. Shark will be put on display at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History. Photos Paper 1

18 Jun 18
Hualien County, Taiwan. Male. 406cm. 338kg. Caught in a drift net. Dead Paper 1

18 Jun 18
Hualien County, Taiwan. Male. 410cm. 396kg. Caught in a drift net. Dead Paper 1

29 Jun 18
Hualien County, Taiwan. Female. 435cm. 390kg. Caught in a drift net. Dead Paper 1

3 Jul 18
Bantay dagat Brgy. Sto Niño Tanauan, leyte, Philippines. Female. 550cm. Washed ashore dead. Photos Video Paper 1

4 Jul 18
Hualien County, Taiwan. Female. 378cm. 460kg. Caught in a drift net. Dead Paper 1

9 Jul 18
Hualien County, Taiwan. Female. 544cm. 1020kg. Caught in a drift net. Dead Paper 1

11 Jul 18
Los Organos, Piura, Peru. Male. est between 364cm/411cm. Was landed and consumed. Photo Paper 1 Paper 2

13 Jul 18
Hualien County, Taiwan. Female. 460cm. 348kg. Caught in a drift net. Dead Paper 1

13 Jul 18
Hualien County, Taiwan. Female. 441cm. 527kg. Caught in a drift net. Dead Paper 1

18 Jul 18
Hualien County, Taiwan. Male. 425cm. 330kg. Caught in a drift net. Dead Paper 1

18 Jul 18
Hualien County, Taiwan. Female. 425cm. 454kg. Caught in a drift net. Dead Paper 1

25 July 18
El Ñuro, Piura, Peru. 370cm. Found stranded. Too decomposed to determine sex. Photo Paper 1 Paper 2

1 Aug 18. Mauritania. Female. 180cm. 40kg. Found dead in Tuna seine net and discarded. Photo Paper 1

17 Aug 18
Hualien County, Taiwan. Male. 434cm. 400kg. Caught in a drift net. Dead Paper 1

23 Sept 18
Coast of Pedra do Sal, Piaui, Brazil. Male. 150+cm. Was found dead by fishermen floating in the shallows. Consumed. Photo Paper 1

13 Oct 18
Paita district, Peru. -500cm. Caught in surface gillnet. Released Alive. Paper 1 Paper 2

14 Oct 18
San Diego, California, USA. Paper 1 Paper 2

18 Oct 18
Morro Bay, California, USA. Paper 1 Paper 2

19 Oct 18
Talupak beach, Villaflor, Puerto Galera, Mindoro, Philippines. ~200cm. Washed ashore dead. Photo Paper 1

27 Nov 18
Ozamiz City, Barangay, San Antonio, Philippines. Male. -300cm. Found in the shallows and died after a few minutes. Was buried in the sand. Photo More Photos Video Paper 1

11 Dec 18
San Diego, California, USA. Paper 1 Paper 2

28 Jan 19

Numazu, Shizuoka, Japan. Male. Approx 400/500cm. Found dead on beach. Now on display at Numazu Deep Sea Aquarium. Photos Paper 1

3 Mar 19

Mancora, Peru. 470cm. Caught in surface gillnet. Released Alive. Photo Paper 1 Paper 2

20 Apr 19

Sitio Iget, Barangay, San Jose de oro, Araceli, Palawan. Philippines. Male. -480cm. Found dead on beach. Photo Paper 1

25 Apr 19

Hualien County, Taiwan. Male. 350cm. 420kg. Caught in a drift net. Dead Paper 1

6 May 19

Hualien County, Taiwan. Female. 350cm. 612kg. Was caught and than it was sold to a seafood restaurant for NT$61,200 (US$1,978) Photo, Video

6 May 19

Hualien County, Taiwan. Male. 495cm. 612kg. Caught in a drift net. Dead Photo Paper 1

11 May 19

Hualien County, Taiwan. Male. 390cm. 435kg. Caught in a drift net. Dead Paper 1

13 May 19

Hualien County, Taiwan. Female. 503cm. 633kg. Caught in a drift net. Dead Paper 1

26 May 19

Hualien County, Taiwan. Female. 550cm. 787kg. Caught in a drift net. Dead Paper 1

27 May 19

Hualien County, Taiwan. Female. 496cm. 558kg. Caught in a drift net. Dead Paper 1

10 Jun 19

Hualien County, Taiwan. Female. 540cm. 808kg. Caught in a drift net. Dead Paper 1

10 Jun 19

Hualien County, Taiwan. Male. 385cm. 289kg. Caught in a drift net. Dead Paper 1

10 Jun 19

Hualien County, Taiwan. Male. 480cm. 503kg. Caught in a drift net. Dead Paper 1

10 Jun 19

Hualien County, Taiwan. Male. 442cm. 403kg. Caught in a drift net. Dead Paper 1

11 Jun 19

Hualien County, Taiwan. Female. 533cm. 998kg. Caught in a drift net. Dead Paper 1

12 Jun 19

Lambayeque, Peru. Female. +300cm. accidentally captured in a purse seine net. Released Alive. Photo Paper 1 Paper 2

20 Jun 19

Hualien County, Taiwan. Male. 445cm. 487kg. Caught in a drift net. Dead Paper 1

20 Jun 19

Hualien County, Taiwan. Female. 467cm. 610kg. Caught in a drift net. Dead Paper 1

20 Jun 19

Hualien County, Taiwan. Female. 474cm. 740kg. Caught in a drift net. Dead Paper 1

20 Jun 19

Hualien County, Taiwan. Male. 374cm. 359kg. Caught in a drift net. Dead Paper 1

20 Jun 19

Hualien County, Taiwan. Female. 497cm. 671kg. Caught in a drift net. Dead Paper 1

24 Jun 19

Salaverry, Peru. 215cm. Found dead in midwater gillnet. Discarded. Photos Paper 1 Paper 2

5 Jul 19

Baloy City Cagayan de Oro, Philippines. ~300cm. 400kg. Was caught by a fisherman and than butchered when pulled ashore. Photo Photo 2 Paper 1

7 Jul 19

Hualien County, Taiwan. Female. 539cm. 708kg. Caught in a drift net. Dead Paper 1

7 Jul 19

Hualien County, Taiwan. Male. 420cm. 408kg. Caught in a drift net. Dead Paper 1

7 Jul 19

Hualien County, Taiwan. Male. 615cm. 1270kg. Caught in a drift net. Dead Paper 1

14 Jul 19

Hualien County, Taiwan. Male. 390cm. 436kg. Caught in a drift net. Dead Paper 1

16 Jul 19

Hualien County, Taiwan. Male. 351cm. 525kg. Caught in a drift net. Dead Paper 1

16 Jul 19

Hualien County, Taiwan. Female. 532cm. 703kg. Caught in a drift net. Dead Paper 1

28 Jul 19

Hualien County, Taiwan. Female. 439cm. 401kg. Caught in a drift net. Dead Paper 1

29 Jul 19

Hualien County, Taiwan. Male. 510cm. 682kg. Caught in a drift net. Dead Paper 1

30 Jul 19

Hualien County, Taiwan. Male. 350cm. 248kg. Caught in a drift net. Dead Paper 1

4 Aug 19

San Jose, Peru. Male. 375cm. Caught in surface gillnet. Released Alive. Photos Paper 1 Paper 2

7 Aug 19

San Jose, Peru. Male. 400cm. Caught in surface gillnet. Released Alive. Photos Paper 1 Paper 2

18 Aug 19

Hualien County, Taiwan. Male. 482cm. 480kg. Caught in a drift net. Dead Paper 1

14 Oct 19

Paita District, Peru. Male. -400cm. Caught in surface gillnet. Released Alive. Photos Paper 1 Paper 2

16 Oct 19

Paita District, Peru. Male. -400cm. Caught in surface gillnet. Released Alive. Photos Paper 1 Paper 2

23 Oct 19

San Diego, California, USA. approx 450cm. Fishermen film a Megamouth shark 24 miles off San Diego. Photo Video Paper 1

26 Mar 20

Liberia. Male. 380cm. Found dead in a gill net. Photo Paper 1

31 Mar 20

Hualien County, Taiwan. Female. 545cm. 895kg. Caught in a drift net. Dead Paper 1

30 May 20

Hualien County, Taiwan. Female. 423cm. 439kg. Caught in a drift net. Dead Paper 1

6 Jun 20

Butuan Bay in Brgy. Tinago, Buenavista, Agusan del Norte, Philippines. -600cm.

Shark was found entangled in a net on the beach and was safely released. Photo Paper 1

11 Jun 20

Tokyo Bay, Tateyama City, Chiba Prefecture, Japan. Female. 600cm. Shark was found trapped in a net and was set free. Photo Video Paper 1

15 Jun 20

Hualien, Eastern Taiwan. Female. 582cm. 1018kg. Reports indicate that the next 6 Megamouths were caught by the same boat. None survived. Paper 1

15 Jun 20

Hualien, Eastern Taiwan. Female. 462cm. 602kg. Caught by the same boat as #239. Dead

Photo Paper 1

16 Jun 20

Hualien County, Taiwan. Female. 576cm. 935kg. Caught in a drift net. Dead Paper 1

16 Jun 20

Hualien County, Taiwan. Male. 378cm. 354kg. Caught in a drift net. Dead Photo Paper 1

17 Jun 20

Hualien County, Taiwan. Female. 594cm. 1110kg. Caught in a drift net. Dead Photo Paper 1

18 Jun 20
Hualien County, Taiwan. Female. 482cm. 526kg. Caught in a drift net. Dead Photo Paper 1

11 Jul 20
Hualien County, Eastern Taiwan. Female. 504cm. 774kg. Dead. Paper 1 Paper 2

11 Jul 20
Hualien County, Eastern Taiwan. Female. 409cm 542kg. Dead. Paper 1 Paper 2

7 Aug 20
Hualien County, Eastern Taiwan. Female. 381cm. Dead Paper 1 Paper 2

18 Nov 20
Bantayan, Zamboanga del Norte, Philippines. Found dead stranded on beach. Photo Photos 2

13 Mar 21
Lianjiang, Fuzhou Province, China. Female. 199cm. 33.15kg. Caught by a commercial fishing boat. Dead. Photo Video

28 May 21
MacArthur, Leyte, Philippines. Found dead on beach. Photo

3 Jun 21
Hualien County, Taiwan. Female. est. 400cm. Was found caught in a net and was released Alive. Photo Video

14 Jun 21
Tateyama Bay, Chiba pref. Japan. Shark seen for two days close to shore and than swam away . Photo Video

22 Jul 21
Hinunangan, Southern Leyte, Philippines 563cm. 670kg. Found dead stranded on beach.

29 Dec 21
San Roque, Tolosa, Leyte, Philippines. Male, 500cm. Found dead stranded on beach. Photo

11 Jun 22
Bagacay, Gubat, Sorsogon, Philippines. Female. est.450cm. Washed ashore dead. Photo Video

29 Jul 22
Chole market, Pemba Island, Tanzania, Zanzibar Archipelago. Male approx 170 cm. The shark was spotted at a market after it was found dead, caught with a longline. Photo 1, Photo 2, Photo 3, Photo 4, Scientific Paper

31 Jul 22
Mambajao, Camiguin, Philippines. Male. Washed ashore dead. Was later buried. Photo Video

11 Sept 22
San Diego California, USA. Female. approx 450cm Two Megamouths (#271 & #272) sighted swimming together at the surface, some 30 miles off shore. Photo Video Video 2 Scientific Paper
11 Sept 22
San Diego California, USA. Male. approx. 380cm Two Megamouths (#275 & #276) sighted swimming together at the surface, some 30 miles off shore. Photo 1 Photo 2. Video Video 2 Scientific Paper

8 Nov 23
Binday, Negros, Philippines. Dead Photo Photo 2
11 Nov 23
Silago, Southern Leyte, Philippines.. 469cm. 907kg. Dead. Photo Photo 2
14 Nov 23
barangay Ipil, Dipaculao Aurora, Philippines. Female. 560cm 400-500kg. Found stranded. Was giving birth when stranded.. 1 pup was found dead next to her and another 6 pups were found in its belly. 4 females and 3 males. The pups measured a lengthy 165 to 183.5 cm long, Ave weight 11.26 kgs 6 of the pups housed at the Philippine National Museum. 1 pup and the mother buried in Aurora. Photo Photo 2 Photo 3 Photo 4 Photo 5 Photo 6 Video Report
May 24
Hualien County, Taiwan. Alive, Tagged and Released by Fisheries Research Institute (FRI)
May 24
Hualien County, Taiwan. Alive, Tagged and Released by Fisheries Research Institute (FRI)
May 24
Hualien County, Taiwan. Alive, Tagged and Released by Fisheries Research Institute (FRI)
May 24
Hualien County, Taiwan. Alive, Tagged and Released by Fisheries Research Institute (FRI)
May 24
Hualien County, Taiwan. Alive, Tagged and Released by Fisheries Research Institute (FRI)
24 May 24
Mitsu, Cape Muroto, Kochi Prefecture, Japan. ~600cm. ~2000kg. Was found alive in a net, but died 2 hours after it was lifted into the boat. Was later taken to Osaka Aquarium for necroscopy. Photo, Photo 2, Photo 3, Video
3 Jun 24
Hualien County, Taiwan. Female. ~400cm. Reported by Chi-Ju Yu (Debbie) who Tagged and released the shark.” Photo, Photo 2, Video

3 Jun 24
Hualien County, Taiwan Male. ~350cm. Reported by Chi-Ju Yu (Debbie) who Tagged and released the shark.” Photo, Photo 2, Video

6 Jun 24
Hualien County, Taiwan. Female. ~500cm. Was caught in a net and released. Reported by Bethany Smith and Chi-Ju Yu (Debbie). Photo, Video

The Megamouth Shark Statistics.

Since being first reported in 1976, we now have a total of 294 known records. Here is a look at the statistics for this very rarely encountered shark.

Sex
Male Female Unknown	99 142 53

Condition
Alive Dead Unknown	41 240 13

Locations
Taiwan Philippines Japan Usa Peru Mexico Ecuador China Indonesia Brazil South Africa Australia Senegal Indian Ocean Sri Lanka Vietnam Puerto Rico Liberia Chagos-Maldives Gabon Mauritania Tanzania	166 38 30 17 11 5 4 4 3 3 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

Sizes
Largest Confirmed Female Largest Confirmed Male Largest Unconfirmed (Male) Smallest Confirmed Female Smallest Confirmed Male	710cm 615cm est. 800 - 900cm 180cm 176cm