Greenland Shark Found Dead on Irish Coast Provides Longevity Insights

In April 2026 a dead Greenland shark washed ashore on a tide‑lined beach in County Sligo, Ireland. The three‑metre specimen was estimated to be over 150 years old, a relatively young age for a species that can live up to 400 years.

Marine biologist Emilie De Loose of the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group said, "É uma pena. Esse animal levou 150 anos para chegar ao estágio em que poderia se reproduzir, contribuir para a recuperação da população e talvez nem tenha tido essa oportunidade." PhD candidate Jasmine Stavenow Jerremalm of University College Cork added, "Todos nós ficamos maravilhados." The team covered the 200‑kilogram carcass with seaweed to deter scavengers, then transferred it to a laboratory in a rescue operation coordinated by the National Museum of Ireland. The necropsy is expected to shed light on the species' extraordinary longevity and inform broader marine research.