Divers have captured what is believed to be the first underwater footage of an adult great white shark in the Mediterranean Sea. The encounter occurred between Sicily and Tunisia as a team from Healthy Seas was removing abandoned fishing nets from a shipwreck.
Diving during a mission to clear ghost nets from an offshore shipwreck, divers from Healthy Seas encountered an adult great white shark. The team managed to film the predator in its natural habitat. This footage is considered the first ever documented underwater of a great white in the Mediterranean.
Great white sharks are typically found in temperate and subtropical coastal waters across the globe, including the northeastern Pacific, southern Africa, and Oceania. While surface sightings have been reported in the Mediterranean, documented underwater encounters have been rare.
Derk Remmers, one of the divers who filmed the shark, described the experience as statistically improbable, likening it to winning the lottery. He noted the importance of continuing their mission to remove ghost nets, as the encounter underscored the presence of marine life in these waters.
The shipwreck is located in the Strait of Sicily, an area recognized as a significant biodiversity hotspot but also heavily impacted by fishing activities. Veronika Mikos, Director of Healthy Seas, emphasized the significance of the sighting within the context of their conservation work, highlighting the need to protect marine ecosystems from threats like abandoned fishing gear and overfishing.
Researchers believe these observations are crucial for understanding the distribution and behavior of great white sharks, a critically endangered species. Dr. Carlo Cattano, a researcher at the Sicily Marine Centre, stated that most knowledge about Mediterranean great white sharks comes from records of dead specimens caught in fishing operations. He added that sightings like this are invaluable for improving the understanding of this threatened species.
Dr. Lauren Smith, a shark expert at Saltwater Life, reassured the public, noting that the shark was filmed far from popular beaches and poses no threat to holidaymakers. She described the footage as encouraging for the conservation of Mediterranean great whites, whose populations have been severely reduced by centuries of fishing pressure and overexploitation. She stressed that these encounters should foster respect and appreciation for the animals rather than fear.
This sighting comes amid warnings that global warming could lead to great white sharks appearing off Britain's coast. Researchers have suggested that changing climate conditions might recreate habitats suitable for these sharks in areas like the southern North Sea.