Longest migration (Shark)

Longest migration (Shark)

Last updated: January 4, 2020 at 22:03 pm

20,142 km (12,516 miles) — A whale shark (Rinchodon typus) was tracked by satellite from Panama to the Mariana Trench between April 2012 and December 2013. If measured in a straight line, the distance covered totals 13,819 km (8,887 miles).

The blue shark‘s (Prionace glauca) Atlantic Ocean migration covers 5,980 km (3,470 miles). The blue shark is a pelagic, circumglobal species whose fins make up the largest proportion of the world fin trade with an estimated 20 million individuals caught annually. The blue shark is listed as Near Threatened by the IUCN.

Guzman, Hector & Gomez, Catalina & Hearn, Alex & Eckert, Scott. (2018). Longest recorded trans-Pacific migration of a whale shark (Rhincodon typus). Marine Biodiversity Records. 11. 10.1186/s41200-018-0143-4.

Whale shark (Rhincodon typus) in the Galapagos. Photo © Ken Jones | Island Cruise Adventure

Blue shark. Photo by Mark Conlin | NMFS (Public Domain)

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Jeffrey Gallant

Jeffrey Gallant is the Editor-in-Chief and Records Keeper of the Diving Almanac. He is also a contributing editor of DIVER Magazine, and the scientific director of the Greenland Shark and Elasmobranch Education and Research Group (GEERG). Jeffrey started diving in 1982.

Longest migration (Shark)

Longest migration (Shark)

Last updated: January 4, 2020 at 22:03 pm

Guzman, Hector & Gomez, Catalina & Hearn, Alex & Eckert, Scott. (2018). Longest recorded trans-Pacific migration of a whale shark (Rhincodon typus). Marine Biodiversity Records. 11. 10.1186/s41200-018-0143-4.

If you have claim to a diving or underwater record or first, if you know of a significant first or record not listed here, or if you can demonstrate that any of the information on this website is false or outdated, please complete the form on the record submission page.

First documented case of hydrogen psychosis

First book about women and diving

Deepest diving tank (and deepest pool)

First underwater colony

First aquanaut (Men)

First maneuverable research submersible

First manned underwater habitat (Multi-day)

Deepest submersible dive (Solo | Women)

Deepest dive in one-atmosphere suit (Women)

Clearest water

Deepest dive on scuba (Ocean | Men)

Slowest fish

Deepest shipwreck ever found

Most dangerous seal

First underwater self-portrait (selfie?)

Deepest saturation dive (Experimental)

Coldest seawater

First saturation dive under polar ice

Deepest saturation dive (Openwater)

Under ice (Constant weight)

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