Great white sharks (Carcharodon carcharias) are apex predators that roam open waters, hunting large prey over great distances and typically inhabiting deep offshore zones, though they can appear in temperate seas when food is abundant.
Rare encounters in Spanish waters
Despite their fearsome reputation, data show that encounters with people in Spain are extremely rare, far less common than in Australia or the United States. The real discussion centers on where these sharks are found and how often they surface in Spanish waters.
Scientific confirmation of a juvenile in the Mediterranean
Researchers from the Instituto Español de Oceanografía (IEO‑CSIC) and the University of Cádiz published a study in the journal Acta Ichthyologica et Piscatoria confirming a novel record of a great white shark in the Spanish Mediterranean. The team genetically analyzed a juvenile specimen captured in 2023 off the coast of Alicante.
The finding validates the species’ presence in national waters and provides data on size, estimated age and location. It is one of the few verified cases in recent decades, allowing scientists to integrate the sighting into the historical record of 66 documented citations in Spanish waters dating from 1862 to 2023.
Conservation status and population trends
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) lists the great white shark as Vulnerable. Estimates indicate a 30 %‑50 % reduction in the Mediterranean population over the last three generations, with a decline exceeding 73 % in the Balearic region between 1980 and 2016.
Ecological context: prey and migration
The shark’s appearance coincides with the migration of Atlantic bluefin tuna (atún rojo) entering the Mediterranean to spawn. This timing suggests that prey availability influences shark movements and helps explain why the species may appear in certain areas but not others. As a super‑predator, the great white helps regulate marine populations and links different marine zones.
Historical attacks and human interaction
Only two attacks by great white sharks have been documented in Spanish waters: a fatal incident in Málaga in 1862 and an injury to a surfer’s board in Tarifa during the 1980s. Lead author José Carlos Báez emphasized that “only two attacks” have been recorded, highlighting the importance of fishery cooperation for monitoring.
Juvenile capture and its implications
On 20 April 2023, fishers accidentally caught the shark between Dénia and Jávea, about 11 nautical miles from shore, during the bluefin tuna season. The specimen measured roughly 210 cm and weighed 80‑90 kg, indicating it had not yet reached adult size (adults exceed 4.5 m). Báez noted that without such cooperation, exceptional records would remain unknown, underscoring the persistence yet rarity of the species in the Spanish Mediterranean.
What could happen next?
Continued genetic verification of accidental catches may improve understanding of the sharks’ distribution and breeding grounds. If prey migrations, such as those of bluefin tuna, shift due to climate change, the sharks could adjust their routes, potentially increasing their presence in previously uncommon areas. Enhanced cooperation between researchers and the fishing sector could also lead to more systematic reporting, which may influence future protection measures.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many great white shark attacks have been recorded in Spanish waters?
Only two attacks have been documented: a fatal incident in Málaga in 1862 and an injury to a surfer’s board in Tarifa during the 1980s.
What is the conservation status of great white sharks in the Mediterranean?
The species is classified as Vulnerable by the IUCN, with an estimated 30 %‑50 % population decline over the last three generations and a greater than 73 % decline in the Balearic area between 1980 and 2016.
How was the 2023 juvenile great white shark identified?
The shark was captured accidentally, measured, photographed, and genetically analyzed, confirming its species and providing data on size and age.
What do you think this rare sighting tells us about the future of great white sharks in the Mediterranean?
