Great white sharks in the Mediterranean Sea are in big trouble. Scientists say illegal fishing is killing too many of them. This is very bad for the ocean.
A new study shows the great white shark is now Critically Endangered. This means they are at high risk of disappearing. Human activities, especially large fishing boats, are the main reason. The Mediterranean is one of the most fished places on Earth.
Researchers watched fishing ports in Algeria and Tunisia in 2025. They found that protected sharks, like the great white, are being caught. These sharks are then sold in markets. Videos show dead sharks being brought to shore. One video shows a large great white shark in Algeria. Another shows a mako shark being cut up in Tunisia.
Dr. Francesco Ferretti said, "No other stretch of water is fished like the Mediterranean Sea." He also said, "The impact of industrial fishing has been intensifying." He thinks the sharks could go extinct soon. Big sharks have babies slowly. Fishing is too intense for them to recover. About 40 great white sharks were caught illegally in 2025. This is a lot for a small group.
The problem with great white sharks shows a bigger problem. Many ocean animals are in danger. When protected sharks are killed, it hurts the whole ocean. Great white sharks are important predators. If they disappear, it can cause many problems. The Critically Endangered status is a warning. We need to stop illegal fishing. We must protect these sharks.