Divers have captured exceptionally rare footage of a Great White shark swimming in the Mediterranean Sea, a sighting that marine experts say highlights the urgent need for stronger conservation measures in the region.

The encounter took place in May while volunteers from the environmental organization Healthy Seas were diving between Tunisia and Sicily to document and remove abandoned “ghost fishing nets.” During the expedition, they spotted what scientists believe was an adult male Great White shark several miles offshore.

Volunteer diver Derk Remmers, who recorded the footage, described the experience as unforgettable.

“The shark was pretty close to us, and my fingers were trembling when I was trying to get the camera operating,” he said, calling the encounter “pretty special.”

Researchers note that Great White sharks have become extremely rare in the Mediterranean, with overfishing and declining prey populations thought to have pushed the species close to regional extinction. Sightings of adult individuals are particularly uncommon, making the recent footage especially valuable for scientists studying the population.

Experts emphasized that the public should not be alarmed by the shark’s presence, as it was observed far from coastal areas and posed no threat to beachgoers. Instead, conservationists hope the sighting will increase awareness of the challenges facing marine ecosystems in the Mediterranean.

Environmental groups believe the discovery could strengthen calls for governments to establish additional marine protected areas, helping safeguard vulnerable species and preserve important habitats.

The footage also draws attention to the growing problem of ghost fishing nets—abandoned or lost fishing gear that can continue trapping and killing marine life long after being discarded. Conservation organizations say removing these hazards is essential to improving conditions for endangered species, including the Mediterranean’s dwindling population of Great White sharks.