Norwegian record Greenland shark: 880 kg

About Greenland shark

The Greenland shark (Somniosus microcephalus) ranks among the biggest fish found in Norwegian waters and probably the longest-lived vertebrate on Earth. Studies of its eye lenses suggest it can live around 400 years, and it does not mature until it is roughly 150 years old. It is a thick, heavy shark with a short, rounded snout, small eyes, grey to brownish-black skin. Adults average about 3.5 m and 300 kg, with a maximum of around 7 m. It lives in cold water across the North Atlantic and the Arctic Ocean, from the surface down to more than 2,000 m, and is found along the entire Norwegian coast and in deep fjords. Although it swims extremely slowly, it eats fish, seals and carrion. It gives birth to live young. The raw meat is toxic and must be processed before it is eaten. Norwegian Red List 2021: Near Threatened (NT). IUCN: Vulnerable (VU).

Sources: Artsdatabanken, Store norske leksikon, Havforskningsinstituttet, Wikipedia

• Habitat: Saltvann
• Best month: August
• Red list status: NT (2021)

See the species guide

Biggest Greenland shark in FishComp

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How to register a Norwegian record

1. Norwegian sport-fishing records are registered with Villmarksliv, not with FishComp. Read the rules before you do anything else with the fish.
2. Records are based on weight and approved by a jury. You give the weight and length, where it was caught, the gear you used and any witnesses.
3. Keep your photos and notes from the catch. Logging it in FishComp does not register a record.