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Great white sharks in Mediterranean at risk of vanishing
Illegal fishing and weak enforcement are pushing the Mediterranean's great white shark population toward extinction, according to a study by U.S. researchers and the UK-based Blue Marine Foundation. At least 40 of the critically endangered predators were killed in North African waters in 2025 alone.
Protected species sold in fish markets
Great white sharks are among more than 20 Mediterranean shark species protected under international law, making their capture or sale illegal. Despite this, researchers documented the sale of protected sharks, including great whites and short-finned mako sharks, in North African fish markets.
The BBC verified social media footage showing a great white shark being hauled ashore in Algeria and another video depicting the heads and fins of a protected mako shark being prepared for sale in Tunisia.
Scientists fail to tag sharks in critical habitat
In late 2025, a research team led by Dr. Francesco Ferretti of Virginia Tech attempted to tag a great white shark in the Strait of Sicily-a region considered a last refuge for threatened shark species. The mission, which included deploying three tons of fish bait and underwater cameras, yielded no sightings of great whites. Only a single blue shark was briefly recorded.
"It's disheartening," Dr. Ferretti said. "This ecosystem is severely degraded." During the expedition, the team received reports of a juvenile great white killed just 20 nautical miles from their research vessel, though it remains unclear whether the shark was targeted or caught accidentally.
Enforcement gaps fuel illegal trade
International agreements protect 24 threatened shark species in the Mediterranean, including great whites, makos, and hammerheads. Signatory nations, including EU members and 23 Mediterranean countries, are required to release these sharks unharmed if caught. However, enforcement varies widely, and accidental bycatch remains unaddressed.
James Glancy of Blue Marine Foundation noted that while the presence of great whites in fish markets signals their continued survival, urgent action is needed. "If we can preserve this, there's a chance of recovery," he said. "But we must act quickly."
Economic pressures drive illegal fishing
In North African coastal communities, fishermen often face a dilemma: discard a valuable catch or feed their families. Sara Almabruk of the Libyan Marine Biology Society explained that most shark catches are accidental but added, "Why would they throw sharks back when they need food for their children?"
Almabruk emphasized that sustainable fishing training and financial support could reduce shark deaths. "If you support them, they won't target sharks," she said.
Call for regional cooperation
Researchers stress that coordinated efforts among Mediterranean nations are critical to reversing the decline. Dr. Ferretti warned that industrial fishing has intensified in the region, leaving sharks with little refuge. "No other body of water is fished like the Mediterranean," he said. "Extinction in the near future is plausible."
