New Hammerhead Shark Species Named After Paul Allen

The newly discovered Sphyrna alleni honors the late Microsoft co-founder and his contributions to marine conservation.

The new species, Sphyrna alleni, was discovered by researchers from Florida International University and is named after philanthropist Paul G. Allen.
Sphyrna alleni was initially overlooked due to its resemblance to the bonnethead shark, Sphyrna tiburo.
The discovery was a collaborative effort involving scientists and Belizean fishers, who helped collect tissue samples and measurements.
Paul Allen's foundation funded the Global FinPrint initiative, which played a crucial role in identifying the new species.
Belize has implemented strong shark conservation measures, offering hope for the protection of Sphyrna alleni from overfishing and extinction.