Yes, sharks are indeed found in Norwegian waters, though their presence is often overlooked due to their deep-dwelling and migratory habits. The cold, nutrient-rich seas off Norway’s extensive coastline, from the North Sea up to the Arctic, provide a suitable habitat for several species. These waters host unique cartilaginous fish, inhabiting both the deep fjords and the open ocean.
The Common Shark Species of Norway
The Greenland Shark (Somniosus microcephalus) holds the record as the world’s longest-lived vertebrate. This massive shark can reach lengths of up to 7 meters and typically inhabits the deepest, coldest parts of the water column. Its varied diet, consisting of fish, seals, and carrion, supports its slow metabolism and estimated lifespan that can exceed 400 years.
The Basking Shark (Cetorhinus maximus) is the second-largest fish species globally, with individuals in Norwegian waters sometimes reaching over 10 meters in length. This immense creature is a gentle giant, feeding exclusively on zooplankton that it filters from the water by swimming slowly with its mouth wide open. Basking sharks are often observed near the surface during the summer months when plankton blooms are most abundant.
The Porbeagle Shark (Lamna nasus) is the largest actively predatory shark in these northern seas. This powerful, torpedo-shaped mackerel shark can grow up to 3.6 meters long. It is a warm-bodied species, allowing it to hunt efficiently in cold temperatures. Its primary diet consists of schooling fish like herring and mackerel, as well as squid.
Where These Sharks Reside
The distribution of these sharks is directly linked to the deep, cold-water characteristics of the Norwegian Sea, which includes the Atlantic Ocean and the Barents Sea. The Greenland Shark is primarily an abyssal species, preferring temperatures near the freezing point and depths that can exceed 2,200 meters. They often venture into the deep, dark basins of the Norwegian fjords, which serve as extensions of their preferred deep-sea habitat.
The Basking Shark is a highly migratory, coastal-pelagic species that follows seasonal food sources. They appear in Norwegian coastal waters, particularly along the western and northern coasts, during late spring and summer to feed on surface zooplankton concentrations. This migration pattern is why they are the most frequently sighted of the large sharks.
The Porbeagle Shark is also highly mobile, occurring over the continental shelf and in open ocean areas along most of the Norwegian coast. While they often hunt near the surface, they exhibit seasonal migration, moving into deeper waters, sometimes between 200 and 1,000 meters, during the colder winter months. These movements are typically driven by the pursuit of prey and reproductive cycles.
Human Safety and Conservation Status
Despite the presence of large shark species, there has never been a recorded unprovoked shark attack on a human in Norwegian waters. The species found here pose virtually no threat to swimmers or surface users, as the largest species are filter feeders or deep-water inhabitants. The few documented incidents have involved provoked interactions with very small sharks, such as a diver touching a small spotted catshark.
The Basking Shark is listed as Endangered, while the Greenland Shark is classified as Vulnerable, highlighting conservation concerns for these slow-reproducing animals. Historically, the Basking Shark was heavily fished in Norway for its liver oil, leading to significant population declines. Today, commercial fishing for these and other vulnerable species is regulated or prohibited.
Norway and the European Union have implemented protections and catch limits for the Porbeagle Shark to aid in its recovery following overfishing. The focus has shifted toward research and ecosystem-based management to understand and protect these species, which are often caught as bycatch in commercial fisheries. Ongoing efforts involve satellite tagging programs to monitor their movements and inform conservation strategies.