Safeguarding the Great White: Fisher Engagement as a Cornerstone for Elasmobranch Conservation in the Mediterranean
ABSTRACT The Mediterranean Sea, a biodiversity hotspot classified by the IUCN as critically threatened for sharks and rays, faces significant conservation challenges because of geopolitical complexities. Traditional, top‐down management strategies often fail, thus calling for alternative conservation approaches. This study documents the first recorded catch and release of a juvenile great white shark ( Carcharodon carcharias ) off Lampedusa Island (Central‐Southern Mediterranean Sea), facilitated by the EU‐cofunded LIFE ELIFE project. This successful release, achieved through collaboration between scientists and local fishers, underscores the importance of stakeholder involvement and cooperative strategies in conserving endangered elasmobranchs in the Mediterranean.
Authors
- Massimiliano Bottaro (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7995-5288)
- Alessandro Lucchetti (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8418-9848)
- Silvestro Greco (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2137-5675)
- Elena Principato (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1242-7573)
- Pierluigi Carbonara (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2529-2535)
- Maria Cristina Follesa (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8320-9974)
- Angelo Mojetta (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4128-4279)
- Emilio Sperone (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3180-7611)
- Mauro Sinopoli (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0258-6274)
- Ilaria Di Lauro (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0008-8064-7635)
- Floriana Trova (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0002-0864-804X)
- Sara Bonanomi (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2236-9015)
- Iván Consalvo (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9476-8819)
- Martina Arpaia (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0002-6329-2875)
- Noemi Gargano (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0006-9164-2843)
Institutions
- University of Cagliari (IT)
- Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn (IT)
- Istituto Superiore per la Protezione e la Ricerca Ambientale (IT)
- National Research Council (IT)
- Institute for Marine Biological Resources and Biotechnology
- University of Calabria (IT)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Aquatic Conservation Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems
- Published
- 2025-04-29
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1002/aqc.70143
- Primary Topic
- Ichthyology and Marine Biology
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00
Funders
- LIFE programme