Great white sharks in the Mediterranean Sea are in danger of disappearing, with illegal fishing contributing to their decline.
This is according to research by US scientists, working in partnership with UK charity Blue Marine Foundation. They say some of the most threatened species - including great white sharks - are being sold in North African fish markets.
Great whites are one of more than 20 Mediterranean shark species protected under international law, meaning it is illegal to fish for them or to sell them.
By monitoring fishing ports on the Mediterranean coast of North Africa, however, researchers discovered that at least 40 great white sharks have been killed there in 2025 alone.
The BBC has also found, and independently verified, footage from social media of protected sharks being brought dead into North African ports. One video showed a large great white being hauled ashore from a fishing boat in Algeria. Another, filmed in Tunisia, shows heads and fins of what appears to be a short-finned mako shark, which is also a threatened and protected species, being prepared for sale.
Lead researcher, Dr. Francesco Ferretti from Virginia Tech, highlighted the alarming reality that many shark populations, particularly great whites, have dramatically declined in the Mediterranean in recent decades. No other stretch of water is fished like the Mediterranean Sea, he stated. The population is currently classified as Critically Endangered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature.
Despite extensive efforts to locate and tag these elusive predators, researchers struggled to spot a single great white during their recent expedition in the Strait of Sicily, underlining the severity of the ecological crisis.
James Glancy from Blue Marine noted that while illegal fishing poses a serious threat, the presence of great whites for sale in local markets reflects that they still exist and could recover with immediate conservation measures. He urged collaborative efforts across Mediterranean nations to enhance shark survival chances, warning that swift action is essential to prevent further losses.
In poorer communities in North Africa, fishermen often find themselves prioritizing the survival of their families over the unintentional capture of protected species. Conservationists argue that training in sustainable fishing practices may alleviate this conflict, offering a glimmer of hope for the future of these magnificent creatures.
