Volunteer Diver Describes Trembling Hands During Encounter

Volunteer diver Derk Remmers, who filmed the encounter, said the shark was ‘pretty close to us’ and his hands were trembling as he tried to operate his camera. ‘And in fact my fingers were trembling when I was trying to get the camera operating,’ he told the BBC.

Great White Shark Near Extinction in the Mediterranean

It is thought that overfishing has contributed to driving the species to near extinction in the Mediterranean, while Scientists believe the shark, which is believed to be an adult male, was spotted many miles offshore between Tunisia and Sicily.

Conservationists said they hope the sighting may encourage governments to create marine protected areas in Mediterranean waters, the rare footage was captured by divers working for the NGO Healthy Seas, who were diving to highlight the problem of so-called ‘ghost fishing nets.’

Call for Marine Protected Areas to Preserve Species

Scientists say people should not be concerned about the shark’s presence in the area, and the sighting is seen as a rare and significant event, emphasizing the need for marine conservation efforts. The footage could play a key role in raising awareness about the threats facing Great White sharks in the region.

The NGO Healthy Seas, which organized the dive, is focused on removing abandoned fishing nets from the ocean, while the organization has previously highlighted the dangers these nets pose to marine life, including large predators like Great White sharks.

Experts say that creating marine protected areas could help protect the remaining Great White shark population in the Mediterranean — these areas would limit human activities like fishing, allowing the species to recover and thrive in its natural habitat.

The rare footage of the Great White shark shows the importance of conservation efforts in the Mediterranean; With the species nearing extinction due to overfishing, the sighting could encourage more action from governments and organizations to protect these apex predators.

Volunteer divers like Derk Remmers play a vital role in capturing such rare footage, and their efforts not only raise awareness about the plight of Great White sharks but also highlight the broader issues facing marine ecosystems in the region.