An international body recently banned the Greenland shark from intentional catch and bycatch in international waters.
The Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO) made the decision in September.
Shark Advocates International President Sonja Fordham told Mongabay:
“It was a long time coming, but not a long time in the life of a Greenland shark. We were glad that it finally went through, and it’s the first for that kind of protection for NAFO.”
While Greenland sharks were up until recently thought by scientists to live only in Arctic waters, one was spotted earlier this year near a Caribbean reef.