A volunteer diver captured what is believed to be the first underwater footage of an adult great white shark in the Mediterranean Sea.
The sighting is significant because it provides rare visual evidence of the apex predator's presence in the region, highlighting the intersection of wildlife conservation and habitat threats.
The encounter occurred on May 13, 2024 [1], during a mission led by the Healthy Seas Foundation. The team was working to remove abandoned fishing nets that endanger local wildlife. The footage was recorded in the central Mediterranean, in the area between Tunisia and Sicily [1], though other reports describe the location as the Strait of Sicily off the Italian coast [1].
The diver was focused on clearing the debris when the shark appeared. The unexpected nature of the encounter left the volunteer shaken. "My fingers were trembling," the diver said.
While great white sharks are known to inhabit various oceans, consistent underwater documentation of adults in the Mediterranean is exceptionally rare. The Healthy Seas Foundation believes this specific recording represents a milestone for marine biology in the area.
"We believe this is the first time an adult great white has been filmed underwater in the Mediterranean," a spokesperson for the Healthy Seas Foundation said.
The mission to remove "ghost nets" — abandoned fishing gear that continues to trap marine life — remains a priority for the organization. The presence of a top predator in these waters underscores the importance of maintaining a clean environment to support the entire marine food chain.
“"My fingers were trembling"”
The documentation of an adult great white shark in the Mediterranean suggests that these predators may be more present in the region than previously recorded. Because the footage was captured during a cleanup of abandoned fishing nets, it highlights the critical risk that anthropogenic debris poses to high-trophic-level species, which are often the most vulnerable to entanglement in ghost gear.
