Rare Sighting of Great White Shark Off Porquerolles
In a remarkable event for marine enthusiasts, a great white shark (Carcharodon carcharias) was spotted in the waters of Port-Cros National Park, near Porquerolles, Var, at the beginning of November. An amateur fisherman from Toulon captured this rare encounter on video while on a solo fishing trip. The shark, measuring between 3.5 and 4.5 meters long, was observed approximately 600 meters off Sarranier Point, showcasing its fin as it approached a boat.
This sighting is particularly significant as it marks only the second observation of a great white shark in the Mediterranean since September 2022, according to Nicolas Ziani, scientific director of the Groupe Phocéen d'Étude des Requins. He noted that while there are an estimated 794 great white sharks in the Mediterranean, sightings are infrequent, especially in French waters. Most observations tend to occur in the northwestern basin, particularly around Sardinia and the Balearic Islands.
Ecological Significance of the Sighting
The presence of a great white shark in this region is considered a positive ecological indicator. Ziani emphasized that the shark's presence signifies a healthy marine ecosystem, as it is a top predator that helps maintain the balance of marine populations. Matthieu Lapinski, president of the Ailerons association, expressed optimism about the sighting, highlighting the critical status of the species, which has seen a significant decline in numbers in the Mediterranean over the past few decades.
The Emergence association, dedicated to wildlife conservation, also celebrated the sighting as a hopeful sign for the species, which is classified as critically endangered. They noted that from 1989 to 1998, there were 85 recorded observations of great white sharks, but this number fell to just 46 between 1999 and 2008, marking a 45% decline.
While the reasons for this shark's presence in the area remain uncertain—whether it was lost or if it indicates shifts in marine habitats due to global warming—scientists are keen to study this phenomenon further. Ziani pointed out that great white sharks are selective about their habitats, preferring less populated areas with abundant food sources, which could explain their rare appearances in certain locations.
