A chance encounter with a young great white shark prompted scientists to revisit more than a century and a half of records to better understand one of the Mediterranean’s most elusive predators.
On April 20, 2023, a local fisherman accidentally caught a juvenile great white shark (Carcharodon carcharias) off the eastern coast of the peninsula. The shark was about 210 centimeters (about 7 feet) long and weighed 80 to 90 kilograms (176 to 198 pounds). Great white sharks are one of the world’s most famous marine animals, but sightings in this part of the Mediterranean are extremely rare.
This unusual catch prompted researchers to examine historical records from 1862 to 2023. Their findings were compiled into a comprehensive review and published in an open access journal. Journal of Ichthyology and Fisheries.
‘Ghost’ Great White Shark of the Mediterranean Sea
By combining recent shark catches with 160 years of documented records, researchers concluded that great white sharks continue to inhabit Mediterranean waters, even if they are rarely seen.
Scientists describe the Mediterranean people as a “ghost” people because encounters are so rare. The sharks appear to continue to remain in the area, largely out of sight, making it difficult to study and monitor.
The species is currently listed as Critically Endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) Red List, which classifies species according to their risk of extinction. Great white shark populations are thought to be in decline, making it increasingly important to understand where great white sharks still live and how they use their habitat.
Why young sharks are important
For researchers, the shark’s age may be just as important as the sighting itself.
“Identifying the presence of adolescents is particularly important,” says Dr. José Carlos Báez, the study’s principal investigator. “The occurrence of juveniles raises the question of whether active breeding is occurring in this area,” he further hypothesized.
In other words, the discovery of young sharks may suggest that great whites are not just passing through Mediterranean waters. It has been raised that breeding may still occur somewhere in the region, but additional evidence will be needed to confirm this.
Over 160 years of rare sightings
The study found that reports of great white sharks in Spain’s Mediterranean waters have continued to appear, even sporadically, for decades. Although sightings remain rare, a long historical record suggests that the species maintains a presence in the region rather than disappearing completely.
Great white sharks are highly mobile animals that can travel long distances, so determining the size and status of local populations can be difficult. Therefore, each confirmed sighting provides valuable information about where these predators still exist.
Understanding the fear of great white sharks
Few marine animals evoke as much fascination and fear as the great white shark. Popular culture often depicts this species as a dangerous threat, fueling a reputation that many scientists argue is an exaggeration.
Dr. Baez points to HP Lovecraft’s famous observation that “the oldest and strongest emotion of humanity is fear, and the oldest and strongest type of fear is fear of the unknown.” He believes that scientific knowledge is one of the most effective ways to combat misconceptions.
“By shedding light on the biology and ecology of great white sharks, the study helps replace unsubstantiated myths with true understanding.”
Why great white sharks are important
Researchers emphasize that long-term monitoring programs are essential to learn more about the Mediterranean great white shark. Combining traditional sightings with modern technology such as satellite tracking could provide a clearer picture of their movements, behavior, and protection needs.
As an apex predator, the great white shark occupies the top of the ocean food web. These animals help maintain ecosystem balance by influencing the populations and behavior of other species. They are also highly migratory pelagic predators. This means they spend much of their lives migrating through the open ocean, allowing them to move energy and nutrients over large geographic areas.
“The main idea I want to convey to the public is that these large marine animals play a fundamental role in marine ecosystems. As highly migratory pelagic species, they redistribute energy and nutrients over long distances. They act as natural scavengers, keeping ecosystems clean by consuming carrion. Even in death, their descent to the ocean floor provides an important nutrient pulse for deep-sea communities,” Baez concluded.
So far, the discovery of a young shark has breathed new life into a long-standing mystery. Mediterranean great white sharks remain elusive, but evidence suggests they are far from extinct. Rather, these legendary predators may still silently patrol the region’s waters, almost invisible.
