For the first time, a shark was filmed in the waters of the Antarctic, near the South Shetland Islands, about 120 kilometers north of the Antarctic Peninsula. The observation took place in 2025 during an expedition led by the Minderoo-UWA Deep Sea Research Centre and Inkfish Expeditions. Researchers used cameras and bait at a depth of nearly 490 meters to study the local marine life. After reviewing nearly 400 hours of footage, they discovered a large shark moving slowly through the dark, cold water, which was around 2 °C. The shark's appearance and behavior suggest it belongs to the sleeper shark family (Somniosidae), possibly the southern sleeper shark (Somniosus antarcticus). These sharks are known for their slow movement and long lifespan, typically found in the cold waters of the Arctic or southern oceans. However, this is the first recorded sighting of one so far south, near the Antarctic. This discovery has sparked new scientific questions. Experts are still debating how many distinct species exist within the sleeper shark family and lack recent genetic information to clarify the matter. The shark filmed could help resolve a mystery that has persisted for almost a century, as scientists have long been unsure about the exact species present in this region. Unlike many Antarctic fish that have evolved special traits, such as "antifreeze blood," this shark appears to rely on slightly warmer water layers to move at depth. Researchers believe it may not be a rare visitor but a species that has been present in the area for a long time, simply difficult to observe due to the short window for scientific exploration in such extreme environments. If you're considering diving with sharks, several factors should be taken into account. Vigilance is crucial, and experience should never be assumed. Encounters with sharks depend on a range of constantly changing conditions during a dive, making each experience unique and unpredictable.