![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/coverimages55458807-1895.jpg\")
\n\t\tThe juvenile great white shark, which was caught in the Mediterranean in April 2023 (Picture: B\u00e1ez et al\/Cover Images)<\/p>\n
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\n\t\tThe juvenile great white shark, which was caught in the Mediterranean in April 2023 (Picture: B\u00e1ez et al\/Cover Images)<\/p>\n
Scientists believe great white sharks<\/a> may be breeding in the Mediterranean after a juvenile was found by fishermen off the eastern coast of Spain<\/a>.<\/p>\n The creature, which was about 210cm long and weighed between 12st 8lb and 14st 2lb (80kg to 90kg) was accidentally captured in April 2023. <\/p>\n Breeding populations of great whites were thought to have disappeared from the Mediterranean some time ago, so the discovery of a young shark led scientists to investigate. <\/p>\n They concluded that while the species remains a so-called \u201cghost\u201d population in the region, it has not disappeared altogether. <\/p>\n \t\t Lead researcher Dr Jos\u00e9 Carlos B\u00e1ez, said: \u2018Determining the presence of juvenile individuals is of particular importance.<\/p>\n \u2018The occurrence of juvenile specimens raises the question whether active reproduction may be occurring in the region.\u2019<\/p>\n Great white sharks gained notoriety in popular culture after Steven Spielberg<\/a>\u2019s classic Jaws broke box office records in 1975.<\/p>\n They are most commonly found off the coasts of Australia<\/a>, South Africa<\/a> and off the west coast of the US<\/a>. Sightings in the Mediterranean are rare.<\/p>\n Dr B\u00e1ez and his team examined records dating from 1862 to 2023 to understand the species\u2019 history and habits within the region.<\/p>\n \u2018The main idea I want to convey to the public is that these large marine animals have a fundamental role in marine ecosystems,\u2019 Dr B\u00e1ez said. <\/p>\n \u2018As highly migratory pelagic species, they redistribute energy and nutrients across vast distances. They serve as nature\u2019s scavengers \u2013 by consuming carrion, they keep ecosystems clean. <\/p>\n \u2018Even in death, their descent to the seafloor provides a critical pulse of nourishment for deep-sea communities.\u2019<\/p>\n \t\t Great whites are listed as a vulnerable species and their numbers continue to decline.<\/p>\n Scientists involved in the study stressed that long-term monitoring programmes are essential to understanding the biology of great white sharks in the Mediterranean. <\/p>\n They said combining occasional sightings with modern tracking techniques could help develop effective conservation strategies for the apex predator.<\/p>\n The team\u2019s findings have been published in the open-access journal Acta Ichthyologica et Piscatoria.<\/p>\n Arrow Arrow Arrow![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/coverimages55458806-e6e6-e1770996886794.jpg\")
\n\t\tThe find has led scientists to reexamine records of great whites in the region over the last 160 years (Picture: B\u00e1ez et al\/Cover Images)<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/coverimages55458808-27d3-e1770997395783.jpg\")
\n\t\tThe investigation team says the species, which is under threat, is considered a crucial part of marine life (Picture: B\u00e1ez et al\/Cover Images)<\/p>\n
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