A juvenile great white shark caught by fishermen in Spanish Mediterranean waters in April 2023 has sparked renewed scientific interest in the region's mysterious predator population. The rare encounter prompted researchers to review over 160 years of historical records, revealing that great whites continue to appear sporadically in the area despite their elusive nature.
Great white sharks in the Mediterranean have long puzzled marine biologists, with sightings becoming increasingly rare over recent decades. The population has faced significant decline due to overfishing, habitat degradation, and reduced prey availability. Scientists had questioned whether a viable breeding population still existed in these waters.