An extraordinary chance discovery is currently causing a stir in the scientific community. For the first time, divers have successfully filmed an adult great white shark underwater in its natural habitat in the Mediterranean Sea. The remarkable footage was captured during a conservation mission between Sicily and Tunisia and is being hailed as a milestone in marine research.
Spain Expat Press Editorial Team
by Marlon Gallego Bosbach
The great white shark (Carcharodon carcharias) is one of the world’s most well-known and enigmatic predators. Although its presence in the Mediterranean has been recognised for decades, there have so far been no documented underwater recordings of a freely swimming adult specimen in the region. This is precisely what makes the recent sighting such a scientific sensation.
Chance discovery during an environmental conservation mission
The encounter did not occur during a scientific research expedition, but rather as part of an environmental mission. Divers from the organisations Healthy Seas, Ghost Diving, and SDSS were working to remove so-called “ghost nets” – abandoned fishing nets – from a shipwreck in the Strait of Sicily. The area between Italy and Tunisia is considered ecologically highly valuable, but is also under significant pressure from intensive fishing activities.
During the operation, an adult great white shark suddenly appeared in close proximity to the divers. The animal moved calmly through the water, briefly observing the group before disappearing back into the depths. One of the divers was able to capture the rare encounter on camera.
Derk Remmers, who filmed the animal, later described the moment as almost unbelievable. According to him, the probability of encountering a great white shark underwater in the Mediterranean is lower than winning the lottery.
Why these recordings are so significant
For marine biologists, the images hold immense scientific value. The biggest challenge in researching the great white shark in the Mediterranean is that most of the existing knowledge comes from dead animals that were accidentally caught in fishing nets. Direct observations of living adult animals, on the other hand, are extremely rare.
Multi-year research projects using underwater cameras and modern DNA analyses have so far produced only limited evidence. All the more significant, therefore, is the first documented underwater recording of a fully grown specimen in the wild. Scientists hope this will provide new insights into the species’ migratory behaviour, habitats, and population sizes of this endangered species.
The great white shark in the Mediterranean – rare but native
Contrary to the widespread belief, the great white shark is not a visitor to the Mediterranean. The species has long been present there, but is only sighted extremely rarely. Around 80 different species of sharks and rays are found in the Mediterranean. More common species include blue sharks, spiny dogfish, and angelsharks. The great white shark, by contrast, remains an exceptional occurrence.
Experten gehen davon aus, dass die Population im Mittelmeer vergleichsweise klein ist. Zudem verbringen die Tiere große Teile ihres Lebens in Regionen, die für Menschen schwer zugänglich sind. Dies erklärt, warum Sichtungen selbst für erfahrene Wissenschaftler und Taucher eine Seltenheit darstellen.
New records in Spanish waters
It was only in early 2026 that researchers from the Spanish Institute of Oceanography and the University of Cádiz published another confirmed record of a great white shark in the Spanish Mediterranean. The case involved an approximately two-metre-long juvenile that had been accidentally caught by fishermen in 2023. A subsequent genetic analysis confirmed its species identity beyond doubt.
Historical data show that documented encounters with great white sharks in Spain are extremely rare. Over a period of more than 160 years, only a few dozen confirmed records have been documented.
Risk for swimmers?
The spectacular images may cause concern among some holidaymakers. However, experts emphasise that there is no cause for alarm. Attacks by great white sharks on humans in the Mediterranean are extremely rare. The few documented incidents date back several decades in some cases.
In fact, the animals generally avoid contact with humans. Their natural prey consists mainly of fish, tuna, and other marine animals. Scientists therefore point out that the recent sighting does not indicate any increased risk for swimmers.
A glimmer of hope for the ecosystem
The great white shark sits at the top of the marine food chain and plays a crucial role in maintaining the ecological balance of the oceans. Its presence is considered an indicator of healthy, biodiverse ecosystems. At the same time, the species is among the most threatened marine animals in the Mediterranean. Overfishing, bycatch, ghost nets, and the loss of suitable habitats have been putting pressure on populations for decades.
For precisely this reason, the new footage is being regarded by conservation organisations as a positive sign. It shows that these fascinating predatory fish still occur in the Mediterranean despite all the pressures — albeit far less frequently than in the past.
