Rare Great White Shark Filmed in Mediterranean Sea

Divers removing abandoned fishing nets from the Mediterranean Sea have recorded what may be the first underwater footage of an adult great white shark in the region.

The video was captured last week during an environmental mission in the Strait of Sicily, between Italy and North Africa. The footage shows the large predator swimming alongside a group of pilot fish, which are known to follow sharks and feed on scraps left from their prey.

The video was recorded by volunteer diver Derk Remmers of conservation group Ghost Diving while a team was removing so-called "ghost nets" from a shipwreck. According to expedition members, the shark may have been attracted by decomposing marine life trapped in the abandoned fishing gear, including several sea turtles.

Although great white sharks are occasionally found in the Mediterranean, scientists say the species remains poorly studied in the region. Researchers believe a comparable underwater encounter with an adult specimen has not previously been documented on video.

Conservationists described the footage as an important contribution to research on the critically endangered species. They also said the discovery highlights the environmental damage caused by abandoned fishing gear and overfishing.

Scientists hope the recording will improve understanding of the distribution and behavior of one of the Mediterranean's rarest marine predators.

(reuters, max)