Great White Sharks Have Been in the Mediterranean Sea for Millions of Years—But Sightings Are Surprisingly Rare
Meeting with The great white shark is undoubtedly an “exciting” phenomenon, considered rare especially in the waters of the Mediterranean Sea. The latest sighting, which attracted media attention and made international headlines, occurred during a dive in the Strait of Sicily by volunteers from Ghost Diving and Healthy Seas, organizations dedicated to protecting the marine environment.
The meeting was recorded by diver Derk Remmers, who told the BBC that he had trouble switching his camera because of the excitement. This video—the first time a great white shark has been recorded in its habitat in the Mediterranean Sea—shows a large specimen of an elderly man. Carcharodon carchariasa species that is now considered critically endangered.
Great White Shark
The great white shark belongs to the Lamnidae family and is one of the largest predatory fish in existence. It can exceed 6 meters (20 feet) in length and weigh more than 2 tons. It feeds mainly on fish, including rays and other sharks, although adults may also eat marine mammals such as seals and dolphins.
Equipped with a keen sense of smell and excellent swimming skills, the great white shark is considered one of the most efficient predators in the food chain. Therefore, it plays an important role in maintaining the balance of the marine environment by controlling the number of predators.
Endangered Species
Found in temperate and undersea waters around the world, the great white shark has lived in the Mediterranean Sea for millions of years. However, today the number of people there has decreased significantly, and more and more people are being seen. Despite its reputation, attacks on humans are very rare. The threat goes in the other direction: This species is increasingly endangered due to human activities, especially bycatch in fishing activities, illegal fishing, loss of habitat, and the reduction of its natural prey.
For this reason, Carcharodon carcharias it is considered vulnerable on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List, while the Mediterranean population is considered critically endangered and critically endangered.
A Strange Encounter
Therefore every documented sighting of a great white shark in the Mediterranean represents an important opportunity, as it provides useful information for scientific research and conservation strategies in an ocean where its presence is now very rare. At the same time, this latest encounter can be interpreted as an encouraging sign for marine biodiversity and a reminder of the importance of continuing to strengthen conservation efforts in marine areas, which are considered the most fragile in the world.
Carlo Cattano, researcher at Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn says: “Most of our knowledge about white sharks in the Mediterranean comes from dead animals caught during fishing. “Observations like this are very important in improving our understanding of the distribution, habits and behavior of these highly endangered animals, which survive due to human activities. Our research on sharks has allowed us over time to identify several critical areas of endangered species, and these observations are very important in confirming the importance of conservation of this area.”
This story appeared first WIRED Italia and translated from the Italian.
