Introduction

A remarkable discovery in the central Mediterranean Sea has captured the attention of marine scientists and conservationists worldwide. Divers participating in an environmental clean-up operation between Italy and North Africa have recorded what is believed to be the first-ever underwater footage of an adult great white shark in the region. The extraordinary sighting occurred during a mission to remove abandoned fishing equipment from the seabed, highlighting both the rich biodiversity that still exists in Mediterranean waters and the urgent need for stronger marine conservation efforts.

The footage, recorded in the Strait of Sicily, provides a rare glimpse into the life of one of the ocean’s most iconic and critically endangered predators. Experts believe the encounter could contribute valuable information to ongoing research into the distribution and behavior of great white sharks in the Mediterranean Sea.

A Historic Encounter Beneath the Mediterranean

The sighting took place during a marine conservation expedition led by the Healthy Seas Foundation, which was working to recover so-called “ghost nets”—abandoned fishing nets that continue trapping and killing marine life long after they have been discarded.

Volunteer diver Derk Remmers, a member of the conservation organization Ghost Diving, captured the footage while exploring a shipwreck in the Strait of Sicily. The video shows a large adult great white shark calmly swimming through the water, accompanied by approximately a dozen striped pilot fish. These smaller fish are commonly seen alongside large marine predators, feeding on scraps left behind after meals.

According to the diving team, such an encounter is exceptionally rare. Although great white sharks have occasionally been spotted in Mediterranean waters, underwater recordings of adult specimens by divers are virtually unheard of, making this observation potentially historic.

Ghost Nets and Their Impact on Marine Ecosystems

The shark was reportedly observed near an abandoned fishing net containing trapped marine organisms, including sea turtles and other sea life. Conservationists believe the presence of dead and struggling animals may have attracted the predator to the area.

Ghost nets represent one of the most serious forms of marine pollution. Once lost or discarded, these nets continue to drift through the ocean or remain tangled on the seabed, where they capture fish, turtles, sharks, and marine mammals. The environmental consequences can persist for decades, damaging fragile ecosystems and threatening already vulnerable species.

The clean-up mission that led to the shark encounter was specifically designed to remove these hazards from one of the Mediterranean’s most biologically important regions. Conservation groups say the event demonstrates how restoring marine habitats can reveal and protect wildlife that remains largely hidden from human observation.

Scientific Importance and Conservation Implications

Marine researchers involved in the project believe the footage could provide valuable insights into the presence and movement patterns of great white sharks within the Mediterranean. The species is considered critically endangered in the region, and scientists still know relatively little about its population size, migration routes, breeding behavior, and habitat preferences.

The unexpected sighting offers researchers an opportunity to analyze the shark’s physical characteristics, behavior, and environmental conditions at the time of the encounter. While experts caution that further study is needed before drawing broader conclusions, the footage may contribute to future conservation strategies aimed at protecting the species.

Conservation leaders emphasize that the event serves as a powerful reminder that significant marine life continues to inhabit offshore Mediterranean waters despite growing pressures from industrial fishing, habitat degradation, pollution, and climate change.

Conclusion

The rare underwater recording of an adult great white shark in the Mediterranean represents both a scientific milestone and a conservation success story. Captured during a mission to remove abandoned fishing nets, the footage highlights the resilience of marine ecosystems while underscoring the challenges they continue to face.

As researchers examine the evidence and conservation groups continue their efforts to protect vulnerable habitats, the encounter stands as a compelling reminder of the hidden wonders that still exist beneath the Mediterranean’s surface. It also reinforces the importance of combating preventable threats such as ghost fishing gear and overfishing to ensure that future generations can continue to witness and study these extraordinary ocean predators.

https://www.reuters.com/world/great-white-shark-caught-underwater-footage-during-mediterranean-clean-up-2026-06-08/