Hexanchus griseus (Bonnaterre, 1788)

Bluntnose Sixgill Shark

Squalus griseus Bonnaterre, 1788: 9 . Types unknown according to Boeseman in Hureau & Monod (1973). Type locality: "La Méditerranée [= Mediterranean Sea]".

Local synonymy: Hexanchus griseus — Kailola, 1987: 2 (Rabaul, New Britain); White et al., 2018: 34, figs (PNG). PNG voucher material: None; a specimen (KFRS E.361, Rabaul, New Britain) was destroyed.

Remarks: Images of a large individual hooked by recreational sports fishers off Walindi in Kimbe Bay (West New Britain) on a small seamount in about 90 m depth just before being released confirm this species from PNG. Only two records of this species in PNG highlight the limited deepwater fishing in PNG waters rather than rarity of the species.