Divers conducting a marine clean-up mission captured the first known underwater footage of a large adult great-white shark in the Mediterranean Sea.
The sighting is significant because it provides rare data on the presence and behavior of a species currently in decline within the region. Because the shark was swimming in open waters far from the coast, it posed no immediate risk to people.
The divers were working to remove abandoned fishing nets from the seabed when they encountered the animal. While the encounter occurred on a Friday, reports differ on the exact location of the sighting. Some reports place the animal off the coast of Sicily in the central Mediterranean [1], while others said the sighting occurred in the Bay of Palma in Mallorca [2].
Experts analyzing the footage provided estimates on the size of the shark. The animal is approximately 2.1 meters in length [3]. Its weight is estimated to be between 80 and 90 kilograms [3].
This footage represents a critical find for marine biologists. Great-white sharks are rarely documented in this part of the world, and high-quality underwater images allow researchers to study the health and movement patterns of the species without disturbing the animal. The mission to clear ghost nets, abandoned fishing gear that continues to trap marine life, unexpectedly turned into a scientific contribution.
Researchers are now using the images to determine if this individual is a migratory visitor or part of a small, resident population. The lack of one definitive location in the reports suggests the shark may have been traveling across the Mediterranean basin during the period of the sightings.
“the first known underwater footage of a large adult great-white shark in the Mediterranean Sea”
The appearance of a great-white shark in the Mediterranean highlights the complex migratory patterns of apex predators and the importance of marine conservation efforts. By combining environmental cleanup with opportunistic biological documentation, researchers can better understand how endangered species navigate human-impacted waters and identify critical habitats that require protection from industrial fishing gear.
