Keywords
aggression
human
conservation
GSA22-28
shark attack
How to Cite
Abstract
This paper analyses data from 46 confirmed shark attacks recorded in the geographical subareas of the eastern Mediterranean Sea (GSAs 22–27) and the Sea of Marmara (GSA 28) from 1827 to 2025. The recent distribution of attacks shows the highest concentration in Turkish waters, followed by the Mediterranean waters of Egypt and Greece. Subarea-specific data reveal that the Aegean Sea (GSA 22) and the southern Levant (GSA 26) had the highest number of incidents. Temporal analysis shows an overall increasing trend in annual shark attacks throughout the study period. Since the large pelagic predatory sharks of the Mediterranean Sea are highly migratory, they can be encountered off any Mediterranean coast at any time. Considering the critical role of predatory sharks in marine ecosystems, a shark-safe eastern Mediterranean means creating safe environmental conditions for both humans and sharks.
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