Satellites cling to the mysterious sun shark

Despite their large size, the rare giant sharks that are commonly known as sunfish shark are rarely seen and are still the most mysterious species in the ocean.

Now, researchers are trying to track this fish with advanced technology to better understand them and enhance conservation efforts.

The second largest fish in the world can grow more than 10.6m in length, hunted aggressively because of its large fins. Sunfish shark populations have decreased in the twentieth century and encountered difficulties in recovering because of slow reproductive rates.

This zooplankton species does not hibernate and is discovered more often during the summer months while in winter, they tend to move to deeper water areas - even down to 914m above sea level. .

A sunfish shark is seen off the west coast of Scotland.(Photo: iStock).

Alexandra Rohr of APECS research group - based in France and specializing in shark and stingray research - told Channel Channel Asia: "It's a fish with many mysteries". Despite its large size and aggressive appearance, sunfish shark does not attack and is harmless to humans.

APECS uses new technology to monitor the migratory shark's migratory scope along with information provided from divers, sailors and residents.

According to Channel News Asia, Alain Quemere saw a sunfish shark on a fishing trip in the Glenan Islands off the coast of southern Brittany in France and provided details for APECS.

Still interested in the 5-hour encounter, Quemere said."I just saw the top of the fish's raised fins. A moment it passed in front of the boat made me laugh because my boat was only 5.5 meters long while the sunfish shark was 8 meters long."

Since the beginning of the year, APECS has attached satellite tracking devices to four sun-shanked shark.

Frederic Bassemayousse, a diver and photographer who discovered sun-shanked shark thrice three times, said: "We will be impressed to see a beautiful and wise fish of many years."

3 sun-shredded sharks are seen in 2016 in the Aran Islands - Ireland.(Photo: Reuters).

International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) lists this giant fish and the "vulnerable species" list around the world and "endangered" in the North Pacific and Northeast Atlantic .

In a study in 2013, scientists estimated that about 100 million sunfish were killed each year.