Rare Angel Shark Spotted off the Coast of Ceará by Local Fishermen

A group of fishermen from Fortaleza had a surprising encounter at sea: a rare angel shark was spotted and safely released during a fishing trip about 64 kilometers off the coast of Ceará last Sunday (29th).

According to José Cláudio, a fisherman with over 30 years of experience, it was his first time seeing such a creature. “I cast the line, and when I reeled it in, I saw a fish I’d never seen before. It caught all of us by surprise,” he said. The animal had become hooked by its dorsal fin but was carefully freed and returned to the ocean after some photos and video footage were taken.

Once back on land, José Cláudio shared the images with biologists and received confirmation: the animal was an angel shark, also known locally as cação-anjo, part of the Squatina genus — which includes around 24 known species worldwide. In Brazil, at least four species have been recorded, mostly in the southern and northern regions.

These sharks have a flat body similar to rays and dwell on the ocean floor, using camouflage to ambush prey. Due to their unique appearance, they have even been misidentified by scientists in the past.

According to marine biologist Vicente Faria, the presence of this type of shark off the coast of Ceará is a recent discovery. The first confirmed sighting in the state occurred only in 2024, also by local fishermen. “These animals are extremely rare in our waters. We only began identifying their presence after one specimen was brought to the port of Mucuripe last year, which is still being analyzed by researchers at the Federal University of Ceará,” he explained.

The recent sightings may be linked to changes in fishing patterns. “As fishermen explore new areas and depths, we’re seeing the emergence of marine life that previously went unnoticed,” Faria added.

This discovery highlights the importance of responsible fishing and collaboration between fishers and scientists to monitor and protect marine biodiversity.

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