Observations of coastal aggregations of the broadnose sevengill shark (Notorynchus cepedianus) in Chilean waters.

Abstract

The presence of four sharks was documented in coastal waters of Antofagasta (Chile) using an unmanned aerial video camera. Fishers took advantage of this aggregation to catch and sold three adult broadnose sevengill sharks Notorynchus cepedianus. Species identity was determined by using the cox1 gene. One additional video was later recorded 3000 km south of Antofagasta, and shows a large female interacting with a salmon farming facility. Shallow water records of N. cepedianus were previously undocumented in Chilean waters, yet historically have provided an opportunistic event to fishers in Chile.