In a surprising turn of events, artisanal fishers off the coast of Chile stumbled upon a significant discovery while on the hunt for bony fishes. Little did they know that their gillnets would yield not just a catch, but a missing species.

According to a study published in the European Journal of Taxonomy on April 25, a Chilean angel shark, described in 1887 by a researcher, was found to be incomplete and inaccurate. The original description contained only a few body measurements, making it difficult to distinguish from closely related species. To complicate matters, the holotype, the collected specimen, was lost, leaving the scientific record empty.

However, the tide turned when the artisanal fishers caught two full sharks and the head of a third. These valuable specimens were immediately frozen and sent to the National Museum of Natural History in Santiago, Chile. There, experts confirmed that they were looking at Squantina armata, also known as the Chilean angel shark.

The Chilean angel shark is just over 3 feet long and has a flat body resembling that of a ray rather than a typical shark. The researchers also noted the presence of "enlarged dorsal thorns," small and sharp hook-shaped growths on the sharks' heads and backs.

This discovery is crucial, as very little is known about the Chilean angel shark. Due to a lack of research and sightings, the species is classified as "critically endangered" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List. Coastal development, habitat degradation, and fishing pose significant threats to the species' survival.

Understanding and identifying this species is deemed indispensable for its conservation. The researchers believe that with an updated morphological characterization of the Chilean angel shark, questions about its geographic range, abundance, and incidence in landings can be clarified. This knowledge will inform better conservation practices for this critically endangered species and other angel sharks along the Pacific coast of America.

The rediscovery of these sharks near Playa Seremeño in northern Chile on the Pacific coast has sparked hope for their conservation. It serves as a reminder of the important role artisanal fishers can play in scientific research and the preservation of marine biodiversity.

As our understanding of these unique creatures deepens, we can take further steps towards protecting these mysterious and endangered species, ensuring their place in our oceans for generations to come.