A “ghost” great white shark just reignited a Mediterranean mystery

Close-up of the juvenile great white shark.

Credit: Báez et al., 2026
On April 20, 2023, local fishermen accidentally caught a juvenile great white shark ( Carcharodon carcharias ) off the coast of the eastern peninsula.

The young shark measured about 210 cm in length and weighed roughly 80-90 kg.

Encounters like this are extremely uncommon in the region, prompting scientists to take a closer look at historical records.

Researchers reviewed sightings and reports dating back to 1862, ultimately compiling a comprehensive analysis published in the open access journal Acta Ichthyologica et Piscatoria .

The unexpected catch -- considered alongside documented records from the past 160 years -- suggests that great white sharks have never fully disappeared from Mediterranean waters.

Instead, scientists describe them as a mysterious or "ghost" population that appears only rarely.

Despite their elusive nature, evidence indicates they continue to inhabit the region.

At present, the great white shark is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, and global numbers are believed to be declining.

"Determining the presence of juvenile individuals is of particular importance," says Dr.

José Carlos Báez, the study's lead researcher.

"The occurrence of juvenile specimens raises the question whether active reproduction may be occurring in the region." He further hypothesized.

Finding younger sharks could indicate that breeding is still taking place somewhere in the Mediterranean, an idea that researchers are eager to investigate further.

Rare but Persistent Sightings in Spanish Waters
After reviewing historical records, the study confirms that great white sharks still appear occasionally in the Spanish Mediterranean.

These sightings remain very rare, but they show a consistent pattern over time.

Rather than disappearing completely, the species appears to persist quietly in the region.

Understanding the Fear of Great White Sharks
Dr.

Báez also addressed the powerful fear that great white sharks often inspire.

Referencing H.P.

Lovecraft's famous observation that "the oldest and strongest emotion of mankind is fear, and the oldest and strongest kind of fear is fear of the unknown." He explains that better scientific understanding can help change public perception.

"By shedding light on the biology and ecology of the great white shark, research can help replace unfounded myths with genuine understanding."
The Ecological Role of Great White Sharks
As populations continue to decline, researchers stress the importance of long term monitoring programs to better understand great white sharks in the Mediterranean.

Combining direct sightings with modern tracking technologies could help scientists develop evidence based conservation strategies to protect this iconic predator.

"The main idea I want to convey to the public is that these large marine animals have a fundamental role in marine ecosystems.

As highly migratory pelagic species, they redistribute energy and nutrients across vast distances.

They serve as nature's scavengers -- by consuming carrion, they keep ecosystems clean.

Even in death, their descent to the seafloor provides a critical pulse of nourishment for deep-sea communities," concludes Báez.

Materials provided by Pensoft Publishers .

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