Divers led by the Healthy Seas Foundation filmed a rare underwater video of a great white shark in the Mediterranean Sea this week [1].
The sighting is scientifically significant because great white sharks are classified as critically endangered in the Mediterranean [2]. Underwater encounters with the species in this region are considered rare, making the footage a vital record for marine biologists.
The encounter occurred in the Strait of Sicily [3]. A diver was working to remove abandoned fishing nets from a shipwreck when the shark appeared [4]. The footage captures the predator at a depth of more than 132 feet below sea level [4].
Reports vary on the historical uniqueness of the clip. Al Jazeera English said the recording is one of the first underwater videos of a great white shark in the Mediterranean Sea [1]. However, CBS News said the footage is the first-ever video of the species in the region [2].
The Healthy Seas Foundation specializes in removing "ghost nets" — lost or abandoned fishing gear that continues to trap marine life. The diver's primary objective during the dive was the cleanup of the shipwreck site, rather than the pursuit of sharks [4].
Marine experts note that the presence of the shark highlights the continued, though fragile, existence of the species in these waters. Because the sharks are so few in number, each sighting provides data on their movement, and health within the Mediterranean ecosystem [2].
The video was posted on June 9, 2026 [1]. It has since gained traction across social media platforms, bringing international attention to the conservation status of the Mediterranean's apex predators [1].
“Great white sharks are classified as "critically endangered" in the Mediterranean Sea, and underwater sightings are rare.”
The recording of a great white shark in the Strait of Sicily provides rare empirical evidence of the species' presence in a region where they are nearly extinct. By documenting the shark's depth and behavior near a shipwreck, researchers can better understand the habitat preferences of the remaining Mediterranean population and the impact of anthropogenic debris, such as ghost nets, on their environment.
