Great White Sharks Have Been in the Mediterranean Sea for Millions of Years—but Sightings Are Incredibly Rare
Key takeaways
- The encounter was documented by diver Derk Remmers, who told the BBC that he struggled to switch on his camera because of the excitement.
- Carcharodon carcharias, commonly known as the great white shark, belongs to the Lamnidae family and is one of the largest predatory fish in existence.
- Equipped with an extremely keen sense of smell and excellent swimming abilities, the great white shark is considered one of the most efficient apex predators in the food chain.
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A diver recently documented his encounter with a great white shark in the Strait of Sicily.Photograph: cdascher/Getty Images Comment Loader Save Story Save this story Comment Loader Save Story Save this story. An encounter with a great white shark is undoubtedly a “thrilling” experience, considered especially rare in the waters of the Mediterranean Sea. The latest sighting, which has attracted media attention and made headlines around the world, occurred during a dive in the Strait of Sicily carried out by volunteers from Ghost Diving and Healthy Seas, organizations dedicated to protecting marine ecosystems.
The encounter was documented by diver Derk Remmers, who told the BBC that he struggled to switch on his camera because of the excitement. The footage—the first ever recorded of a great white shark in its Mediterranean Sea habitat—shows a huge adult male specimen of Carcharodon carcharias, a native species that is now considered critically endangered.
Carcharodon carcharias, commonly known as the great white shark, belongs to the Lamnidae family and is one of the largest predatory fish in existence. It can exceed 6 meters (20 feet) in length and weigh more than 2 tons. It feeds primarily on fish, including rays and other sharks, though adult individuals may also prey on marine mammals like seals and dolphins.