Mediterranean Great White Sharks are at risk of extinction, scientists warn, as illegal fishing, weak enforcement, and decades of intense industrial pressure push one of the ocean’s most iconic predators toward disappearance. Great white sharks are still caught and sold in North African fish markets despite international restrictions, according to new research by US scientists collaborating with the UK-based Blue Marine Foundation. According to port monitoring around North Africa’s Mediterranean coast, at least 40 great white sharks were killed in 2025 alone. Protected sharks are being landed dead and ready for sale, according to footage, highlighting the scope of a catastrophe that is mainly hidden from the public.

Why are Mediterranean Great White Sharks Declining So Rapidly?

Great white shark populations in the Mediterranean are declining due to cumulative stresses that have gotten worse over decades, making recovery more challenging.

• Industrial overfishing: The Mediterranean is one of the world’s most heavily fished waters. Drift nets, longlines, and trawlers increase unintentional shark catches while decreasing prey numbers.
• Bycatch and unlawful landings: Despite being protected, great white sharks are often caught inadvertently. Many are landed and sold after they pass away, rather than being thrown away.
• Slow reproduction: After losses, significant white shark populations recover very slowly because they mature late and have few progeny.
• Degradation of habitat: The larger ecology that sharks rely on is weakened by pollution, coastal development, and dwindling biodiversity.

No other body of water faces the same level of fishing pressure as the Mediterranean, according to Dr. Francesco Ferretti of Virginia Tech. As a result, Mediterranean Great White Sharks are at risk of extinction within the near future if current trends continue. The Mediterranean white shark population has already been designated as Critically Endangered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

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What Did Scientists Discover During Recent Field Research?

Researchers focused on the Strait of Sicily, which is considered a possible “last stronghold” for several endangered shark species, to determine whether viable populations still exist. Their mission integrated state-of-the-art technology with conventional observation.

• Ambitious tracking attempt: For the first time in this area, scientists tried to use a satellite tracker to tag a Mediterranean great white shark.
• Extensive baiting: To draw sharks that could be seen from hundreds of meters away, more than 3 tonnes of frozen fish and 500 liters of tuna oil were used.
• Environmental DNA sampling: Seawater samples were examined for shark DNA traces, a technique that can identify species even when they are not visible.
• Underwater surveillance: For two weeks, submarine cameras were continuously installed.

Despite their best efforts, the team caught only a fleeting glimpse of a blue shark and found no great white sharks. Reports of a young great white being captured and killed only 20 nautical miles away surfaced during the expedition. For researchers, the absence of sharks in what should be prime habitat was stark evidence that Mediterranean Great White Sharks are at risk of extinction, not in theory, but in real time.

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How are Protected Sharks Still Being Sold in Markets?

More than 20 vulnerable shark species, including great white sharks and short-finned makos, are prohibited from capture, landing, storage, or sale in the Mediterranean under international accords. However, gaps in enforcement allow illicit trade to continue.

• Variable national enforcement: Although 23 Mediterranean nations and the EU have signed protection accords, their monitoring capacities vary greatly.
• Accidental catch loopholes: Although laws mandate that protected sharks be released alive “where possible,” they do not adequately address circumstances in which animals have already passed away.
• Financial strain on fishermen: Returning a large shark to the ocean could result in the loss of a vital source of food or income for impoverished coastal communities.
• Informal markets: Sales often take place quickly and locally, making it difficult for authorities to identify them.

Blue Marine and BBC Forensics investigators recorded video in Tunisia and Algeria showing protected sharks being openly processed for commercial purposes. These findings reinforce that Mediterranean Great White Sharks are at risk of extinction, partly because laws exist on paper but fail in practice.

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What Solutions Could Still Prevent Extinction?

Scientists and conservationists contend that recovery is still achievable provided prompt and concerted action is taken, despite the dismal outlook.

• Support for fishermen: Financial incentives and training might encourage fishermen to use equipment and methods that lessen shark bycatch.
• Increased regional cooperation: Data, patrol resources, and enforcement duties must be shared among Mediterranean countries.
• Market accountability: Monitoring seafood supply chains can deter the sale of protected species.
• Public awareness: Pressure on authorities to take action is increased when illicit commerce is exposed through media and science-based reporting.

The arrival of white sharks in marketplaces is concerning, but it also shows that some species are still alive, according to James Glancy of the Blue Marine Foundation. Populations may stabilize if they are adequately protected. Community speakers echo this opinion. To ensure that sharks are returned to the sea alive, Sara Almabruk of the Libyan Marine Biology Society emphasizes that livelihoods must be taken into account. Without rapid intervention, Mediterranean Great White Sharks are at risk of extinction, but with coordinated action, there remains a narrow window for recovery.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. Do great white sharks in the Mediterranean have legal protection?

Yes. The EU and 23 Mediterranean countries have signed international accords that preserve great white sharks, making it unlawful to capture, sell, or exchange them.

Q2. Do the majority of great white sharks live on purpose?

Many are unintentionally caught as bycatch, according to researchers. But instead of being thrown away once they die, they are frequently illegally landed and sold.

Q3. Can Mediterranean great white sharks still make a full recovery?

Yes, but only if prompt action is taken. Extinction may still be avoided with increased enforcement, assistance for fishermen, and regional collaboration.

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