Julius Nielsen, Rasmus B. Hedeholm, Malene Simon, John F. Steffensen
Distribution and feeding ecology of the Greenland shark (Somniosus 
microcephalus) in Greenland waters
Polar Biology
January 2014, Volume 37, Issue 1, pp 37-46
DOI 10.1007/s00300-013-1408-3

Abstract
Greenland sharks are widely distributed and most likely a highly 
abundant predator in arctic waters. Greenland sharks have previously 
been considered scavengers, but recent studies suggest that Greenland 
sharks also predate on live prey. In this study, distribution and 
feeding ecology in Greenland waters were investigated. Based on data 
from 25 years of surveys, Greenland sharks were usually caught at 
400–700 m but were found at all depths between 100 and 1,200 m. Based on 
examination of stomachs from 30 Greenland sharks (total length of 
258–460 cm), the most important prey items were Atlantic cod (65.6 % 
IRI), harp seal (9.9 % IRI), skates (5.2 % IRI) and wolffish (4.4 % 
IRI), but large geographical variations were observed. Prey composition 
and qualitative observations support the hypothesis of active predation. 
Consistent with other studies, the results of this work support the 
notion that the Greenland shark is an apex predator with the potential 
to influence trophic dynamics in the Arctic.

http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00300-013-1408-3