A diver has captured what’s believed to be the primary underwater footage of an grownup Nice White shark within the Mediterranean, in a particularly uncommon encounter.
An grownup nice white shark captured in footage within the Mediterranean Sea. (Picture: Derk Remmers / SWNS)
A diver who encountered an enormous Nice White shark within the Mediterranean has captured what specialists imagine stands out as the first underwater footage of an grownup specimen within the area.
Derk Remmers was amongst three divers who encountered the predator whereas engaged on a mission to take away deserted fishing nets from a shipwreck within the Strait of Sicily, between Italy and Tunisia.
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The group, from the NGO Wholesome Seas, have been retrieving so-called ghost nets from the wreck when the shark emerged close by. Mr Remmers mentioned: “We noticed this large shark. It was fairly clear it was an enormous one. It seemed and seemed to be a white shark.”
The encounter has been described as exceptionally uncommon, with Nice Whites now regarded as critically endangered within the Mediterranean. Whereas there have been sporadic floor sightings of the species within the space, conservationists imagine this might mark the primary documented underwater footage of an grownup Nice White filmed by divers in its pure Mediterranean habitat.
Mr Remmers mentioned: “The shark was there fairly near the wreck, fairly near us the truth is. It swam away, rotated and got here again.”
He confessed his fingers have been shaking as he tried to movie the exceptional encounter.
He instructed the BBC: “I feel my greatest worry was that I would not be capable to get the digicam operating, that I could not file this uncommon occasion.” The diver expressed hopes that the footage wouldn’t set off panic or calls for for the shark to be hunted, emphasising the creature was noticed many miles offshore and nowhere close to seashores.
He added: “It is very important me that nobody will get scared as a result of it was offshore, it was within the central Mediterranean, it was not near a seashore the place folks may really feel endangered.
“This may very effectively be the primary underwater footage of an grownup white shark in its personal habitat within the Mediterranean… it sank in a little bit bit that this was fairly particular.”
Nice White sharks have been as soon as much more prevalent in sure areas of the Mediterranean, however their numbers have plummeted dramatically as a consequence of overfishing and unintentional entanglement in nets and fishing traces.
One of many fishing nets within the Mediterranean Sea. (Picture: Derk Remmers / SWNS)
Divers despatched to take away nets within the Mediterranean Sea. (Picture: Derk Remmers / SWNS)
The Shark Belief, a British-based conservation organisation, states Nice Whites within the Mediterranean are critically endangered, with the inhabitants remaining poorly understood and sightings exceptionally uncommon.
Genetic proof additionally signifies Mediterranean Nice Whites characterize a definite inhabitants from these inhabiting the Atlantic.
Paul Cox, chief government of The Shark Belief, instructed The Telegraph: “We have lengthy identified of the presence of Nice White sharks within the Mediterranean. The video shared on World Oceans Day of them within the Straits of Sicily is thrilling.
“It means that, maybe, regardless of the challenges confronted by the regional inhabitants, these extraordinary animals are managing to take care of a foothold within the area.” The waters separating Sicily from North Africa are thought to be among the many last remaining havens for endangered species, together with Nice Whites.
Uncommon underwater footage of a Nice White Shark within the Mediterranean ?????? #information #viral #animal #journey #dailyexpress pic.twitter.com/68Br9Ghyww
— Day by day Categorical (@Daily_Express) June 8, 2026
Research performed by the Blue Marine Basis have revealed that threatened sharks, together with Nice Whites, proceed to be caught and traded in fish markets throughout North African nations equivalent to Tunisia and Algeria. The charity calculates that no fewer than 40 Nice Whites have been killed and bought for consumption final yr alone.
It has cautioned that the Mediterranean faces intense stress from overfishing, rising water temperatures and invasive species, with over three quarters of fish shares now exploited past sustainable ecological thresholds.
Veronika Mikos, director of Wholesome Seas, mentioned: “What makes this encounter so highly effective is just not solely the shark itself, however the context by which it occurred.
“We have been there to take away ghost nets trapping marine life on a shipwreck ecosystem that may be a hotspot for biodiversity. Moments like this remind us how a lot life can nonetheless exist in offshore Mediterranean waters.”
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