Extinction of a shark population in the Archipelago of Saint Paul's Rocks (equatorial Atlantic) inferred from the historical record

► Early explorers commented on the remarkable abundance of sharks in St. Paul's Rocks. ► Recent expeditions have reported no reef sharks, despite extensive fieldwork. ► We provide evidence that Carcharhinus galapagensis is extinct at the study site. ► Analysis suggests a sharp population decrease following the commencement of fishing. ► Persistence of Carcharhinus falciformis suggests that they might recover if fishing was removed.