Great white sharks in the Mediterranean Sea may be completely eaten by Arabs 0 23

Populations of great white sharks in the Mediterranean Sea are rapidly declining and are at risk of extinction, with illegal fishing exacerbating the problem. This conclusion was reached by American scientists working in collaboration with the British organization Blue Marine Foundation. According to their data, some of the most vulnerable species, including white sharks, still appear in fish markets in North African countries.

White sharks are on the list of more than 20 Mediterranean species protected by international agreements, making their capture and trade illegal. However, during observations of fishing ports on the North African coast, researchers found that at least 40 individuals were killed there in 2025 alone. BBC journalists also found and verified social media videos showing the transportation of dead protected sharks to North African ports.

One video captures a large white shark being pulled from a fishing vessel in Algeria. In another video from Tunisia, heads and fins, presumably belonging to shortfin mako – a rare and protected species – are seen being prepared for sale. According to the lead researcher, Dr. Francesco Ferretti from the University of Virginia, the number of sharks, especially whites, in the Mediterranean has sharply declined over the past few decades.

The scientist's team worked in the Strait of Sicily – an area considered a "last refuge" for several endangered species. One of the expedition's tasks was to attach a satellite tracker to a white shark – something that had not been accomplished in the region before. The scientists used over three tons of bait – a container of frozen mackerel and tuna remains, as well as 500 liters of tuna oil, to create a scent trail detectable over long distances. However, after two weeks of work – despite all the baiting, water analysis for shark DNA presence, and the use of underwater cameras – they did not encounter a single white shark. The cameras only briefly captured a blue shark. While the expedition was ongoing, the researchers received news that a young white shark had been caught and killed by fishermen approximately 20 nautical miles from their base. It is unclear whether this was accidental or intentional.

According to the team's estimates, more than 40 individuals have been caught in this area. Together with colleagues from North African countries, the scientists continue to monitor the fishing ports in the region. The materials collected by them and BBC Forensics confirm that protected shark species are still being caught, brought ashore, and sold in the markets of Tunisia and Algeria.