Great White Sharks on the Brink of Extinction in the Mediterranean

Tue Dec 30 2025 11:30:00 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Recent research highlights the plight of great white sharks in the Mediterranean, revealing alarming levels of illegal fishing that threaten their survival. As conservationists call for urgent action, the reality of the situation becomes increasingly dire.

According to a new study, great white sharks in the Mediterranean are facing extinction due to illegal fishing practices. Researchers from Virginia Tech, in collaboration with Blue Marine Foundation, report that at least 40 great whites have been caught in 2025 alone, with sightings of these protected species being sold in North African fish markets. Conservationists urge immediate action to save these sharks, whose populations have severely declined.

Great white sharks in the Mediterranean Sea are in danger of disappearing, with illegal fishing contributing to their decline.

This is according to research by US scientists, working in partnership with UK charity Blue Marine Foundation. They say some of the most threatened species - including great white sharks - are being sold in North African fish markets.

Great whites are one of more than 20 Mediterranean shark species protected under international law, meaning it is illegal to fish for them or to sell them.

By monitoring fishing ports on the Mediterranean coast of North Africa, however, researchers discovered that at least 40 great white sharks have been killed there in 2025 alone.

The BBC has also found, and independently verified, footage from social media of protected sharks being brought dead into North African ports. One video showed a large great white being hauled ashore from a fishing boat in Algeria, while another filmed in Tunisia depicted processed remains of a short-finned mako shark.

Lead researcher, Dr Francesco Ferretti from Virginia Tech, highlighted the case of white sharks, stating, The impact of industrial fishing has been intensifying... and it's plausible that they will go extinct in the near future. Currently, the Mediterranean white shark population is classified as Critically Endangered.

Efforts to locate and study these sharks by researchers were hindered when they failed to tag any sharks during their two-week expedition in the Strait of Sicily, despite extensive baiting and monitoring.

In light of these developments, conservationists stress the need for immediate, coordinated efforts across Mediterranean countries to halt the illegal fishing of these endangered species and educate local fishers on sustainable practices. As Dr. Ferretti summarized, We've got to act very quickly to save the great white sharks.