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, researchers discovered that at least 40 great white sharks have been killed there in 2025 alone.
Despite working for two weeks — baiting the ocean, taking samples of seawater to search for shark DNA, and using underwater cameras — the researchers did not manage to find any animals to tag. They captured only a brief glimpse of one blue shark on their submarine cameras.
James Glancy from Blue Marine told BBC News that his own investigation found multiple white sharks on sale in Tunisian fishing markets. He stated that while the situation is dire, it also indicates that wildlife still exists, offering a glimmer of hope for recovery if adequate preservation measures are implemented.
The lead researcher, Dr. Francesco Ferretti from Virginia Tech, highlighted the urgent need for conservation efforts, emphasizing that without immediate action, extinction may soon follow for the Mediterranean white shark population.
