Observations of Oceanic Whitetip Sharks, Carcharhinus longimanus, a globally threatened species, in the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument (central Pacific)

A rare glimpse into the distribution of oceanic whitetip sharks (Carcharhinus longimanus), a globally threatened species, was captured within the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument (PMNM) in the central Pacific. Observations from 2015 to 2026 revealed that these sharks are non-randomly distributed, predominantly found at or shallower than 50 meters in the monument's northwest region. The study utilized remotely operated vehicle dives and forward-looking camera footage to document brief but significant encounters with single sharks, often accompanied by small forage fishes and other piscivores. These findings lay groundwork for understanding shark behavior and distribution patterns in one of the largest U.S. marine protected areas, offering critical insights for future conservation efforts.

Auster, P., Kennedy, B., & Kahanamoku-Meyer, S. (2026). Observations of Oceanic Whitetip Sharks, Carcharhinus longimanus, a globally threatened species, in the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument (central Pacific). Ocean Science Foundation. https://doi.org/10.5281/ZENODO.22881043