A young great white shark captured by fishermen in 2023 has prompted scientists to review 160 years of records on the species in the Mediterranean Sea.
On April 20, 2023, local fishermen accidentally caught a juvenile great white shark measuring 210 centimeters and weighing 80 to 90 kilograms off Spain's eastern peninsula.
The incident led researchers to compile historical sightings from 1862 to 2023. Their review, published in Acta Ichthyologica et Piscatoria, concluded that great white sharks maintain a presence in the region despite infrequent encounters.
Dr. José Carlos Báez, the study's lead author, noted that the presence of a juvenile raises questions about possible reproduction in the area. He emphasized the species' role as an apex predator that helps maintain marine ecosystem balance.
The shark is listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN. Scientists say continued monitoring with modern tracking tools will be needed to learn more about the elusive population.
