In 2016, researchers estimated that Greenland sharks can live up to nearly 400 years, making them the longest-lived vertebrates, surpassing even bowhead whales. They reach sexual maturity around 150 years old due to their slow growth rate, living in cold North Atlantic waters where they grow approximately one centimeter per year.
To age these sharks, researchers used carbon dating on the lens of their eyes, which captures a snapshot of the shark’s birth. The study involved 28 females, indicating significant uncertainty with age estimates ranging from at least 272 to over 500 years.
The long maturation period poses risks for the species, which cannot quickly replenish their numbers. Greenland sharks have faced threats from bycatch and historical hunting for their liver oil, making their conservation challenging. As they take centuries to reach maturity, any population recovery is slow, raising concerns about their future sustainability.
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