A dream landscape had a particular arrival. Tourists in the middle of the regatta They saw the calm swimming of a large shark around you. In fact, the specimen was a few centimeters away from the young man who decided to film it with his cell phone.
Its curious behavior and some of its physical characteristics suggested that it could be a white shark.
Although this has not been corroborated due to the difficulties in accessing more evidence, the appearance of this shark in the bay of Palma, Spainit was surprising. The reason: the species attributed to it is not usually seen in the Mediterranean Sea Spanish, said marine biologist Gader Muntaner.
Although it has been recorded since the 19th century, this specimen is very rare. on the aforementioned coasts. The thing is that shallow waters are not their favorite scenario. “They are afraid of getting stuck. The normal thing is that they are disoriented, lost or sick animals,” researcher José Carlos Báez told The Country from Madrid.
The surprise for windsurf lovers at the end of March 2026
The sighting of the marine animal was the latter March 27. The sailor Jacopo Renna He filmed the scene that occurred on a sunny day that captivated the tourists, who went to the small boats to spend their vacation day.
The young man, who studies sports sciences, shared in his Instagram as the shark moved calmlywithout much interest in the sporting activity that was taking place around him.
Far from causing a dangerous situation, The unexpected encounter did not cause any type of incident.. Since myths about this animal can generate excessive panic, experts – in statements to ChronicleBalear– they remembered that These sporadic arrivals are part of the marine ecosystem from the Balearic Islands.
The same media reported that About 45 species of sharks live in the Mediterraneanthe main ones being the tintorera (Prionace glauca) and the pilgrims. These approach such locations in search for food or because of currentsespecially in spring.
Likewise, more than half of the number of existing species are threatened with extinctionnoted the Biodiversity Foundation.
Confirmation of the white shark that was seen in the Spanish Mediterranean in 2023
Recently the scientific journal Journal of Ichthyology and Fisheries included a publication that confirmed the appearance of a white shark in Mediterranean Sea. However, it is a specimen accidentally caught by fishermen. in 2023.
The finding was corroborated by genetic analysis, giving rise to one of the few verified records of white shark in Spanish waters in recent decades.
The work was carried out by researchers from the Spanish Institute of Oceanography (IEO-CSIC), in collaboration with the University of Cádiz (UCA).
It is worth clarifying that this is a solitary animal that can exceed six meters in length and reach 70 years. On the other hand, experts assured that they do not represent a relevant risk to the population.
“We have only found two attacks: one in 1862in which a person died in Malaga who was swimming, and another in the 1980s, when a shark bit a surfer’s board in Tarifa and caused serious injuries,» Báez told the aforementioned newspaper.
Contrary to the idea that they are dangerous, specialists claimed its favorable role in marine ecosystems. Báez asserted that large aquatic predators “play a key role in the balance of the ocean.” “As highly migratory species, They connect different regions and contribute to the good state of the marine environment”, he indicated.
