Divers document rare great white shark in the Mediterranean

In May, volunteer divers from the organizations Ghost Diving, Healthy Seas, and SDSS encountered a great white shark while clearing abandoned fishing nets from a shipwreck in the Strait of Sicily. The incident occurred at a depth of 40 meters, with diver Derk Remmers capturing video footage that is believed to be the first underwater recording of an adult great white shark in its natural Mediterranean habitat. While surface sightings have occurred, experts note that such underwater documentation is unprecedented. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the Mediterranean population of this species faces a critical risk of extinction, although they remain classified as vulnerable globally. Specialists confirmed that the shark exhibited curious rather than aggressive behavior and left the area peacefully. Marine biologists emphasize that there is no danger to the public, as the encounter occurred far from coastal tourist resorts. No unprovoked fatal attacks by great white sharks have ever been recorded in the Mediterranean region. The event serves as a reminder of the importance of removing 'ghost nets' which continue to trap and kill marine life long after being abandoned.