As we all know that Mediterranean water is home to many species of sharks because it provides a perfect atmosphere for them to thrive. According to an estimate, approximately 47 species of sharks live in the Mediterranean waters but thankfully only a few of them pose threats to humans. However, there are few reports of shark attacks in the Mediterranean region.
Shark Attacks in the Mediterranean
Shark in the Mediterranean region rarely attacks humans because most of the species living here are considered endangered species that have been fished at such a rapid rate that they are almost near extinction. According to the reports of the International Shark Attack File, in the last past 150 years, only 36 cases of shark attack have been documented in the Mediterranean coastal regions, out of which 18 have been considered deadly.
Which Species of Sharks are Found Living in the Mediterranean Waters?
According to an estimate, there are about 47 species of sharks that lives in the Mediterranean Sea, some of them which are commonly found roaming in this region are:
- Great White shark
- Smooth Hammerhead shark
- Blacktip shark
- Great Hammerhead shark
- Bull shark
- Milk shark
- Sand Tiger shark
- Blackmouth catshark
- Angel shark
- Porbeagle shark
- Cookiecutter shark
- Longfin Mako shark
- Silky shark
- Velvet Belly shark
- Bigeye Thresher shark
Where Do Sharks Attacks in the Mediterranean Region Been Reported?
A few cases of sharks attack in the Mediterranean waters are mentioned below:
- At Vis Island, Smokvina Bay – a 43-year-old fisherman has been attacked by a Great White shark on October 6th, 2008.
- At San Juan Beach, Alicante, Spain – the 7-year girl has been bitten by a Bluefish on July 13th, 2006.
- In Valencia, Spain – a Dogfish shark attacked a 69-year-old man on the 3rd of September, 1993.
- In Tuscany, Italy – a man while surfing gets attacked by a White shark on the 6th of June, 1989.
- In the Tyrrhenian Sea. Italy – a 47-year-old scuba diver while diving was attacked by a Great White shark on 2nd February 1989.
Final Verdict
Mediterranean water is a hotspot for many species of sharks however, there have been very few cases of shark attacks have been reported till today. This is because most of the species have been hunted at such an extreme rate that they are about too extinct. However, most cases of Great White sharks have been recorded to thrive in the Mediterranean Sea.
