Balearic Sea shark populations show significant decline

A study conducted by the associations Shark Med and Save the Med has revealed a scarcity of large sharks in the Balearic Sea. Using environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis on approximately 80 water samples collected between 2024 and 2025, researchers identified a very low diversity of elasmobranchs.

Only 13 species were detected, including five sharks and eight rays. While species such as the catshark and blue shark were identified, the study found no genetic traces of highly vulnerable species, including the porbeagle, shortfin mako, great white shark, and hammerhead sharks. Scientists warn that these findings highlight a concerning decline in large predators in the Mediterranean and emphasize the need for increased protection, particularly around the Emile Baudot seamount.