Lord Howe Island Group is an important feeding area for one shark species.

Galapagos Sharks regularly and predictably feed on large masses of fish which aggregate in a small area (referred to as ‘bait balls’) during summer months (JD Mitchell, V Camilieri-Asch, & J Gilligan pers. obs. 2021, 2023). This is the only area around Australia with regular and predictable observations of this behaviour. Between 2018–2025, seasonal (November–February) observations of fish aggregations (including Australasian Pilchard Sardinops neopilchardus, Sandy Sprat Hyperlophus vittus, Maray Etrumeus jacksoniensis, Southern Anchovy Engraulis australis, and Yellowtail Scad Trachurus muculloch) were recorded in this area. Researchers recorded these observations in January 2021 and December 2023, including aggregations of at least 50 Galapagos Sharks (JD Mitchell, V Camilieri-Asch, & J Gilligan pers. obs. 2021, 2023). These aggregations include juvenile and mature Galapagos Sharks, based on visual estimation of size, and animals are observed feeding. Although aggregations are also observed independent of bait balls, the presence of Galapagos Sharks (and a peak in aggregation record frequency) increases in correlation with the seasonality of bait balls.

Within this area, the shelf edge is particularly important for feeding behaviour as a result of the convergence of several ecological and oceanographic factors (Mitchell et al. 2024). Acoustically tagged Galapagos Sharks showed higher residency and smaller home ranges centred around these areas, which were 50–100 m deep (Mitchell et al. 2024). Similar preferred depth ranges have been observed for Galapagos Sharks at other island systems in different parts of the Pacific Ocean (Wetherbee et al. 1996; Meyer et al. 2009; Madigan et al. 2020). The shelf edges are influenced by upwelling processes, whereby nutrient-rich deep waters are transported to the surface, enhancing primary productivity and attracting abundant prey populations (Coelho et al. 2016; Genin & Dower 2007; White et al. 2007), as evidenced by elevated chlorophyll-a concentrations in this area (Bradford & Roberts 1978). Structural complexity of the seabed was also found to have a positive correlation with the number of detections of tagged Galapagos Sharks (Mitchell et al. 2024), likely because areas of complex seabed support a greater abundance of prey fish species, as has been documented for Yellowtail Kingfish in this area (Rees et al. 2018).

Seasonal variations further reinforce the importance of this species in the area; in spring and summer, favourable current patterns, elevated water temperatures, and increased productivity correspond with peak shark detections (Mitchell et al. 2024). Depth utilisation also exhibits seasonal variation, with sharks occurring in shallower waters during autumn and occupying deeper habitats in spring (Mitchell et al. 2021), likely reflecting shifts in prey distribution (Bessudo et al. 2011), productivity patterns, and thermoregulatory behaviour (Campana et al. 2011; Andrzejaczek et al. 2018; Madigan et al. 2020).