Occurrences of large sharks in the open waters of the southeastern Mediterranean Sea

Based on the most recently updated literature, 25 species of large pelagic sharks inhabit the south-eastern Mediterranean Sea. However, analyzing data collected during 1998 to 2005, we failed to identify even half the number of these species. At least 10 species of large pelagic sharks were observed. Sharks were the most abundant incidental catch (landed but 6 not specifically targeted, or discarded). Blue shark Prionace glauca was the predominant species, comprising approximately 70% of all large pelagic sharks encountered. Milk shark Rhizoprionodon acutus was observed for the first time in the south-eastern Mediterranean region. Based on their capture location, a series of maps depicting the spatial distribution of large pelagic sharks is provided. It seems as if currently the continuity of the presence of some species in the region may be questionable or that some species may have become extremely rare to be detected in the course of a conventional monitoring survey.JRC.G.4-Maritime affair