Are There Sharks in the Mediterranean Sea? Yes, Act Now
Are there sharks in the Med? Yes, but their numbers are falling fast due to overfishing and habitat loss. Find out why they need your help.
Sharks are vital for healthy oceans. They control fish populations and maintain balance in marine ecosystems. But they’re in trouble, especially in the Mediterranean Sea. This region is home to over 80 species of sharks and rays, many of which are now at risk of disappearing forever. Without action, we risk losing not only these species but also the health of the Mediterranean’s waters.
Sharks in the Mediterranean
The Mediterranean is home to some fascinating shark species, including:
- Blue shark (Prionace glauca): Known for its sleek body and vibrant blue color, the blue shark is often seen in open waters.
- Great hammerhead (Sphyrna mokarran): This large, iconic shark uses its hammer-shaped head to scan the ocean floor for prey.
- Smooth hammerhead (Sphyrna zygaena): Slightly smaller than its great cousin, it’s often found in shallower waters.
- Scalloped hammerhead (Sphyrna lewini): Recognized by the distinct ridges on its head, this species is highly social and forms large schools.
- Angel shark (Squatina squatina): Flattened and camouflaged, it hides in sandy seabeds, ambushing its prey.
- Porbeagle (Lamna nasus): A powerful, cold-water predator known for its incredible speed.
- Gulper shark (Centrophorus granulosus): A deep-water species rarely seen by humans.
Unfortunately, many of these sharks are struggling due to overfishing, habitat destruction, and climate change. For example, the angel shark, once common in the Mediterranean, is now critically endangered.
What’s Happening to Sharks?
Shark numbers are dropping worldwide. In just 50 years, populations of sharks and rays have fallen by more than 70%. Overfishing is the biggest driver of this decline. Sharks are targeted for their fins, meat, and liver oil, while many others are caught accidentally as bycatch. In the Mediterranean, bycatch is a major problem. For example, in 2021, researchers reported that thousands of sharks and rays were unintentionally caught by trawlers operating in the region.
Illegal fishing compounds the issue. Some fishermen deliberately target protected species, while others exceed quotas or fail to report their catch. Weak enforcement allows this to continue unchecked, placing even more pressure on vulnerable species.
Do People Eat Sharks in Europe?
Surprisingly, yes. In Europe, shark meat is consumed more often than people realize. It’s sometimes sold under misleading names or marketed as cheaper alternatives to popular fish. For instance, frozen blue shark steaks are sold alongside swordfish. This lack of transparency confuses consumers and makes it harder to regulate the trade.
Additionally, rays—closely related to sharks—are considered a delicacy in many Mediterranean countries. This demand for shark and ray products fuels overfishing and complicates conservation efforts.
Fishing Rules and Challenges
The European Union (EU) is a major player in the global shark meat trade, accounting for 22% of worldwide imports. While some regulations exist, enforcement varies greatly. For example, in the UK, fishers must report bycatch of marine mammals within 48 hours, but similar rules are not uniformly applied across the Mediterranean.
Efforts like the MedBycatch initiative aim to improve monitoring and reduce accidental captures. This project trains fishers to identify and safely release non-target species, including sharks and rays. However, its success depends on consistent enforcement, which is often lacking in Mediterranean countries.
Pollution and Climate Change
Pollution is another critical threat to sharks. The Mediterranean is one of the most polluted seas in the world. Plastics, chemicals, and microplastics damage marine ecosystems and harm sharks directly. For example, studies have found microplastics in the stomachs of several Mediterranean shark species, potentially affecting their health and reproduction.
Climate change adds to these challenges. Rising sea temperatures alter shark migration patterns and reduce the availability of prey. Some species, like the blue shark, are now venturing into unfamiliar waters, increasing their risk of encountering fishing nets.
How Can We Help?
Saving Mediterranean sharks requires a multi-pronged approach. Here’s what we can do:
- Better Rules: Enforce stricter fishing regulations and ensure penalties for illegal fishing are severe enough to deter violations.
- Public Awareness: Educate consumers about the importance of sharks and encourage them to avoid buying shark products.
- More Protected Areas: Expand marine protected areas (MPAs) and ensure they are properly enforced. For instance, creating MPAs around known shark breeding grounds could significantly boost populations.
- International Cooperation: Countries around the Mediterranean must collaborate to address shared issues like illegal fishing and pollution. Joint patrols and shared data can improve enforcement and conservation.
Final Thought
Sharks are the guardians of the oceans, keeping ecosystems balanced and healthy. Losing them would have devastating effects on marine life and human economies that depend on the sea. The Mediterranean’s sharks are on the brink, but it’s not too late. Through stronger laws, public education, and international teamwork, we can ensure these incredible creatures thrive for generations to come.
FAQs
The Mediterranean is home to a few shark species that are considered aggressive, like the great white shark (Carcharodon carcharias), the blue shark (Prionace glauca), and the shortfin mako (Isurus oxyrinchus). But the reality is, encounters with these sharks are incredibly rare. Most Mediterranean sharks are small, shy, and completely uninterested in humans.
In fact, the risk of running into a shark in the Mediterranean is so low it’s barely worth worrying about. The real danger is what these sharks face from us: overfishing and habitat destruction.
Absolutely. The Mediterranean is one of the world’s favorite swimming destinations for a reason. Shark attacks are almost unheard of here, and most sharks stay far away from areas where people swim. Species like the blue shark are more likely to be spotted in deeper waters, far from the shore.
For swimmers, the bigger concerns are strong currents or jellyfish, not sharks. So, while it is always good to stay aware of your surroundings, there is no reason to fear the Mediterranean sharks.
Yes, great white sharks (Carcharodon carcharias) do live in the Mediterranean, but they are incredibly rare. These sharks prefer open waters and tend to keep their distance from human activity. The great whites in the Mediterranean are thought to be a unique population, smaller and more elusive than their cousins in South Africa or Australia.
Sightings are so rare that for most people, the only way to see a great white here is on TV. Their presence is more about conservation concern than any real risk to swimmers.