Hai sightings in the Mediterranean: swimming with caution!

Hai sightings in the Mediterranean: swimming with caution!

Arenal d‘en Castell, Menorca, Spanien - The Mediterranean is still very popular with vacationers, but reports on shark sightings cause excitement. These sightings extend from Spain to Croatia, whereby the risk of bathers is classified as low despite media attention. The sightings of blue sharks that have made headlines again and again in the past few months are particularly striking

in Spain, a central point for shark sightings, several encounters were documented in the coastal regions of the Balearic Islands, Valencia and Alicante. An incident in May 2024, when a blue shark was spotted on the beach of Arenal d’ en Castell, even led to a short -term beach closure. Also in August 2023 there was an incident in which a man on the Beach of Rabdells in Valencia was slightly injured by a blue shark. However, such incidents are extremely rare.

Current shark sightings in the Mediterranean

In June 2025, a young white shark was caught in June 2025 and then released again. Historically, the Adriatic was a hotspot for white sharks, but the population of which has decreased sharply. In Croatia and Montenegro, shark sightings are less common, but the “Greek Shark Logbook” documents sightings in Greece, mostly reported by fishermen. Another example is the sighting of a white shark before Livorno in June 2023.

The statistics also show that Italy and Greece historically have listed most shark attacks in the Mediterranean. Nevertheless, the sightings have significantly decreased in recent decades. The current probability of being attacked by a shark is around 1 to 4 million, and most of the sharks, such as the blue shark, avoid people.

The importance of sharks and security measures

sharks play a crucial role in the maritime ecosystem by regulating the populations of marine dwellers. In view of increasing sea temperatures and overfishing, sharks push closer to the coasts, which increases the likelihood of sightings. Experts recommend floating bathers: stay calm and slowly withdraw from the water so as not to tighten the situation. In the case of shark sightings, local authorities should be informed to make an appropriate assessment of the situation.

The media also report innovative protective measures. Intelligent buoys and apps such as "Sharity" are used to inform swimmers about possible shark sightings. At the same time, a newly developed high-tech electro fence could help scare the sharks without endangering other sea creatures.

vacationers should be aware of their surroundings, especially at dusk or near fishing areas, and the risks, even if the probability of an attack is extremely low, always encounter caution. Despite the fascination and fears that cause sharks, a rationally justified assessment of the situation remains crucial.

For more information on the shark sightings in the Mediterranean, the reports from Merkur and watson .