Divers captured the first underwater footage of an adult great white shark in the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Sicily [1, 2, 3, 4].

The recording provides rare evidence of the predator's presence in these waters, offering scientists a new opportunity to study the species' movement and habitat within the region.

The encounter occurred while a team of divers, which included Sky reporter Thomas Moore, were working to clear the ocean floor [1, 2, 3]. The group was removing abandoned fishing nets from a shipwreck when the shark appeared [2].

While great white sharks are known to inhabit the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, confirmed underwater sightings of adults in the Mediterranean are historically absent [1, 4]. The footage marks a significant milestone for marine biology, as it confirms the presence of a mature individual in a region where such sightings are rare [2, 4].

The divers were focused on environmental cleanup efforts at the time of the sighting [2]. The sudden appearance of the shark occurred during the process of extracting the debris from the wreck [2].

Marine experts said the Mediterranean is a complex environment for large pelagic species. The documentation of an adult great white shark provides a baseline for future tracking, and conservation efforts in the Mediterranean basin [3, 4].

“First underwater footage of an adult great white shark in the Mediterranean Sea”

This sighting suggests that adult great white sharks may be utilizing the Mediterranean Sea more frequently than previously documented. The fact that the shark was encountered near a shipwreck and abandoned fishing gear highlights the intersection of marine apex predators and human-made debris, which can influence both shark behavior and the success of ocean cleanup initiatives.