Overview

• A peer-reviewed study in the Journal of Fish Biology reports the first verified records of Gogolia filewoodi since its 1973 description.
• Market surveys in Madang documented five females in March 2020 at about 80 metres near the Gogol River mouth, caught on handlines by a Bilbil village fisher targeting jewfish.
• A male recorded in 2022 near the same area brings the confirmed total to six individuals.
• Two deceased specimens are housed at the University of Papua New Guinea, with DNA analyses planned with collaborators in Australia and Florida to establish a genetic baseline.
• Researchers indicate a likely micro‑endemic range around Astrolabe Bay, note the species remains IUCN ‘data deficient’, and highlight the value of artisanal catch surveys for detecting overlooked biodiversity.