Great white sharks in the Mediterranean Sea are in serious danger of disappearing. Illegal fishing is a major cause of their decline. Research by US scientists and the UK charity Blue Marine Foundation shows that these sharks are being sold in North African fish markets.
White sharks are protected by international law, along with more than 20 other Mediterranean shark species. Catching or selling them is illegal. Despite this, at least 40 great white sharks were killed in 2025 along North Africa’s Mediterranean coast. Videos show sharks being hauled from boats in Algeria and sold in Tunisian markets.
Efforts to Study Sharks
Scientists led by Dr Francesco Ferretti from Virginia Tech tried to study sharks in the Strait of Sicily, one of the last safe areas for them. They used three tonnes of fish and 500 litres of tuna oil to attract sharks.
Dr Ferretti said, “It’s disheartening. This shows how badly this ecosystem has been damaged.”
Great White Sharks in the Mediterranean Face Critical Risk of Extinction
