Great White Sharks are Disappearing from the Mediterranean Sea: Illegal Catch Continues Despite Ban.

According to ТСН: Great white sharks are rapidly disappearing from the Mediterranean Sea, and unfortunately, the reasons for this are related to illegal fishing. Scientific research has shown that even species with international conservation status, such as white sharks, still end up on fish markets in North Africa.

Despite the official ban on the catch and sale of over 20 species of sharks in Mediterranean waters, scientists recorded at least 40 cases of white shark killings in the region in 2025. The authenticity of social media videos showing dead sharks in the ports of Algeria and Tunisia has also been confirmed. Among them is the shortfin mako — another species that is threatened with extinction.

Concerns of Scientists

Dr. Francesco Ferretti from Virginia Tech notes that the number of sharks in the Mediterranean has been decreasing for decades, and the pressure from industrial fishing is only increasing. The International Union for Conservation of Nature classifies the population of white sharks in this region as critically endangered.

Ferretti's team attempted to find at least one white shark in the Sicily Channel, which is considered the last refuge for disappearing marine species. Unfortunately, their efforts were unsuccessful — they recorded only one blue shark. There is also information that at a distance of 20 nautical miles from their research site, fishermen caught and killed a young white shark.

Problems with Species Conservation

Monitoring of ports in North Africa indicates that protected species of sharks continue to be caught and sold, despite international agreements prohibiting their storage and trade. Often these rules are followed selectively, and in the case of bycatch, they are simply ignored.

Sara Almaabrouk from the Libyan Society of Marine Biology emphasizes that poor fishing communities face a choice between adhering to ecological norms and survival. She stresses that financial support and training in sustainable fishing methods could significantly reduce the number of dead sharks.

At the same time, James Glancy from Blue Marine notes that the presence of white sharks in markets indicates that their population has not completely disappeared yet. This means that with swift and coordinated actions from Mediterranean countries, this population can still be saved.

It should not be forgotten that cases of illegal shark fishing underscore serious problems in the natural resource conservation system. Restoring the populations of white sharks will require efforts at the international level, including cooperation between countries to ensure their conservation and sustainable fishing.