Researchers from the Spanish Institute of Oceanography (IEO-CSIC), in collaboration with the University of Cádiz (UCA), have documented a new (Carcharodon carcharias) in the waters of the Spanish Mediterranean. The finding, recently published in the scientific journal Journal of Ichthyology and Fisheriesprovides new data on the distribution of this emblematic species and classified as vulnerable in the western Mediterranean.
As noted in an informative note, the record corresponds to a juvenile specimen approximately two meters in length, accidentally captured in April 2023 within the Spanish Exclusive Economic Zone. The identification of the species was confirmed through genetic analysis, making this finding one of the few verified records of
“The origin of this work is in the documentation of an accidental capture that we learned about thanks to the close collaboration that we have maintained for years with the fishing sector,” explains José Carlos Báez, researcher at the IEO-CSIC and first author of the study. “Without this cooperation, these types of exceptional records would be impossible to know and contextualize scientifically,” he adds.
Since an isolated observation does not allow solid conclusions to be drawn on its own, the research team carried out an exhaustive review of historical records and indirect evidence from the mid-19th century to the present. This analysis confirms that the white shark maintains a persistent but extremely rare presence in the Spanish Mediterranean, where its detectability is very low.
In relation to the state of the population, the authors emphasize the need for caution. “With the available data, it is not possible to affirm that the Mediterranean white shark population is recovering,” says Báez. “This new registry could reflect an improvement in monitoring and communication systems, rather than a real increase in population size.”
The fact that the documented specimen is juvenile is especially relevant from a scientific point of view. “The presence of young individuals provides key information about the demographic structure of the species, especially in the case of populations classified as vulnerable,” says the researcher. However, the study insists that it is still early to determine whether there are breeding areas associated with Spanish waters, an issue that requires specific long-term monitoring programs.
The researchers also recall that, throughout more than 160 years of records in Spanish waters, documented incidents with people have been exceptionally rare, which confirms that this species does not represent a relevant risk for the population on our coasts.
Beyond its emblematic character, the white shark plays a fundamental role in the functioning of marine ecosystems. “Large marine predators play a key role in the balance of the ocean. As highly migratory species, they connect different regions and contribute to the good state of the marine environment,” concludes Báez.
The study aims to improve knowledge of this species in the Mediterranean and move towards management based on scientific evidence.
