The approximately 4 meter specimen was filmed off the islands of Porquerolles and Port-Cros in the Var. The Paca shark representative, Nicolas Ziani confirmed to France 3 that it is indeed a Great white shark, he is calling for testimony to advance scientific research.
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The shark was observed in the waters of the Port-Cros National Park. It was a boater who filmed the shark at the beginning of November. In the video, we see the almost 4 meter animal running along the hull of the boat. He is accompanied by pilot fish and we can see his fin.
An impressive video when you imagine where it was captured.
To confirm the species, an expert from the National Museum of Natural History (MNHN) in Paris, Samuel Iglesias was contacted as well as Nicolas Ziani, scientific director of the Phocéen Shark Study Group (GPER) who also confirmed the species: “in the Mediterranean, it can be confused with a Mako shark, the latter is very present. The individual observed off Port-Cros is indeed a Great White Shark, I think it is a young one, not a juvenile, but not yet an adult.“
It is a little smaller than the female that we observed in the Camargue in 2022. All observations are good for us to take.
Nicolas Ziani, scientific director of the Phocaean Shark Study Group (GPER)at France 3 Côte d’Azur
The presence of Great White Sharks is rare, it is an opportunist which has been observed twice, in or near National Parks, which suggests according to the expert “that the biotopes recreate allow this species to come back. As we recall, this species is considered critically endangered with more than 90% extinction.“.
In 2022, a female shark measuring almost 5 meters was observed in the Camargue.
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The Phocaean Shark Study Group will publish updated data on the number of specimens in December, so since 1600, 794 individuals have been reported with just under forty in the Gulf of Lion.
There are always accidental captures, mainly because the white shark feeds on bluefin tuna.
Nicolas Ziani, scientific director of the Phocaean Shark Study Group (GPER)at France 3 Côte d’Azur
The Great White Shark is protected by the Barcelona Convention, in particular by Article 10 which aims to protect critically endangered species. The scientific group launches a call for testimonies: ” the more reports, videos, and elements we have to analyze, the more we will improve knowledge on the subject“. If you witness what you think is a shark, send an email to [email protected]
And let us remember, if necessary, that far from Jaws or the science fiction remake supposed to take place in the Seine, Great White Sharks are rather shy, solitary, opportunistic and rare, don't panic.
