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.

Megamouth Shark #270

Another Megamouth Shark (Megachasma pelagios) was washed ashore in the Philippines. The discovery was made on the morning of 31st. July 2022 at Mambajao, Camiguin. 

According to the provincial fisheries officer on site, they found no wounds on the shark and the cause of death is unknown.

From the video footage the sex of the shark can be identified as a male, but no indications of size or weight are available. This is the 31 specimen known from the Philippines.

Megamouth Shark #269

Megachasma pelagios, better known as Megamouth Shark, is a species of shark that is considered rare to find. However, over the past few years, the number of records of sightings or catches, have indicated that these elusive sharks are more common in Asia than anywhere else in the world.

A new report of a Megamouth Shark found washed ashore dead brings the total of documented sharks to #269. This shark washed ashore in the coastal village of Bagacay in Gubat, Sorsogon, Philippines on Saturday, June 11.

According to the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) the est 15ft (4.5mtrs) shark was discovered at 10 am by local fisherfolk. Although not officially confirmed, photos do show that the shark is an adult female.


A spokesman for BFAR stated that the cause of death is still being investigated and that the shark will be preserved and later put on display in the museum.


This is the 30th specimen recorded in the Philippines, placing them as the second highest country behind Taiwan who leads the list with a massive 157 records. Japan follows in third with 29 records. These three countries total 216 records. The other 15 countries on record total 53 specimens.


A full detailed list can be found here.

Philippines Senator proposes total Shark protection.

Philippines Sen. Loren Legarda  yesterday called for the passage of a proposed measure prohibiting the catching of sharks, saying the absence of such law could lead to the extinction of the species. Currently there are no laws that protect sharks in the Philippines and fishermen are regularly engaged in the barbaric act of shark finning.

The practice of shark finning involves the removal of the fins, mostly whilst the sharks are still alive, and  the finless shark is thrown back into the sea to die a slow and painful death. The fins are then used for Shark Fin Soup.

“Clearly, the absence of a law forbidding the catching of sharks gives people the courage to continue the practice, which could eventually lead to the extinction of shark species in the country, especially that they reproduce slowly,” Legarda said. “Sharks, as predators of the sea, play a vital role in regulating the ecological balance, particularly the health of important commercial fish species, population balance, and protection of coral reefs. Being a country with about two-thirds of the known marine species of the Pacific living in its coastal waters, the Philippines plays a crucial role in protecting marine species,”

The Senator also stated the facts that millions of sharks are killed every year and that some shark populations have declined by as much as 90 percent.

Legarda said this concern could be addressed with the enactment into law of Senate Bill 2616, which seeks to banning the catching, sale, purchase, possession, transportation, importation and export of all sharks and rays or any parts of these animals. The bill also proposes to declare unlawful the wounding or killing of sharks and rays, unless there is threat to human life or safety.Shark fin soup and the selling of shark’s fin will also be prohibited to eliminate the demand that results in the massive killing of sharks.