Great White Shark Spotted in the Mediterranean Sea

地中海發現大白鯊

Jun 8, 2026, 22:05
AfricaEnvironment

Introduction

Volunteer divers have captured the first known underwater video of a great white shark in the Mediterranean Sea while they were removing trash from the ocean.

志願潛水員在清理海洋垃圾時，拍到了地中海首例已知的大白鯊水下影片。

Main Body

The encounter happened in the Strait of Sicily, located between Tunisia and Italy. A team from the Healthy Seas Foundation, Ghost Diving, and the Society for Documentation of Submerged Sites (SDSS) was working together to remove old fishing gear from a shipwreck. They spotted an adult male shark, about four meters long, swimming near the divers with several pilot fish. Diver Derk Remmers emphasized that the shark seemed curious rather than aggressive.

這次相遇發生在突尼西亞與義大利之間的西西里海峽。來自 Healthy Seas Foundation、Ghost Diving 及水下遺址紀錄協會 (SDSS) 的團隊正合作從一艘沉船中清理舊漁具。他們發現了一條約四公尺長的成年雄性大白鯊，正與幾條導魚在潛水員附近游動。潛水員 Derk Remmers 強調，這條鯊魚看起來是好奇而非具有攻擊性。

However, this sighting occurs while the species is struggling to survive. The International Union for Conservation of Nature has listed great white sharks as critically endangered in the Mediterranean, with only a few hundred left. This decline is mainly caused by illegal and excessive fishing. Furthermore, the mission highlighted the danger of 'ghost nets,' which are lost fishing nets that continue to trap sea animals. Experts estimate that 640,000 nets are lost every year worldwide. Because these top predators follow their prey, they are at a higher risk of getting caught in this underwater debris.

然而，這次目擊發生在該物種生存困難的時期。國際自然保護聯盟 (IUCN) 已將地中海的大白鯊列為極危物種，僅剩數百條。這種下降主因於非法及過度捕撈。此外，此次任務凸顯了「幽靈網」的危險，即遺失後仍會持續困住海洋動物的漁網。專家估計全球每年遺失 64 萬個漁網。由於這些頂端掠食者會追隨獵物，因此面臨更高的風險被這些水下碎片困住。

Conclusion

This event has led to calls for the creation of marine protected areas and stricter laws to reduce the amount of abandoned fishing gear in the ocean.

這一事件引發了要求建立海洋保護區，以及制定更嚴格法律以減少海洋中棄置漁具的呼籲。

Vocabulary Learning

⚡ The 'Connecting' Secret: Moving from A2 to B2

At the A2 level, we usually speak in short, separate sentences. Example: The shark was big. It was curious. To reach B2, you must learn to glue your ideas together using Logical Connectors.

🧩 The 'Glue' Found in the Text

Look at how the article connects a problem to a result or a contrast:

  1. "However" →\rightarrow Used to pivot. The first part says "We saw a shark!" (Positive/Exciting), but However tells us "They are dying out" (Negative/Sad).
  2. "Furthermore" →\rightarrow Used to add a 'bonus' piece of information. It doesn't just add a fact; it strengthens the argument.
  3. "Because" →\rightarrow Used to explain the why.

🚀 Level-Up Transformation

A2 Style (Simple)B2 Style (Bridged)
The shark was big. It was not aggressive.The shark was big; however, it seemed curious rather than aggressive.
Fishing is illegal. Nets are lost.Illegal fishing is a problem; furthermore, ghost nets trap animals.
They are top predators. They follow prey. They get caught.Because these top predators follow their prey, they are at a higher risk of getting caught.

💡 Pro Tip for Fluency

Instead of saying "And" or "But" every time, try these B2 alternatives:

  • Instead of But →\rightarrow use However
  • Instead of And →\rightarrow use Furthermore or Moreover
  • Instead of So →\rightarrow use Consequently

Vocabulary Learning

encounter (n.)
An unexpected or casual meeting with someone or something.
Example:The divers had a brief encounter with a great white shark in the Mediterranean.
emphasized (v.)
To give special importance or prominence to something in speaking or writing.
Example:The instructor emphasized the importance of safety when diving in deep waters.
critically endangered (adj.)
At an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild.
Example:Many species are now critically endangered due to habitat loss and pollution.
excessive (adj.)
More than is necessary, normal, or desirable; too much.
Example:Excessive fishing in the region has led to a significant decline in the fish population.
predators (n.)
Animals that naturally prey on others.
Example:Sharks are top predators in the ocean food chain.
debris (n.)
Scattered pieces of waste or remains, often from something destroyed or discarded.
Example:The ocean floor was covered in plastic debris and old fishing nets.
abandoned (adj.)
Having been deserted or left forever.
Example:Abandoned fishing gear poses a serious threat to marine life.
Practice B2 words in a crossword→