Great white sharks in the Mediterranean Sea are on the brink of extinction. Researchers from the US and UK charity Blue Marine Foundation report that illegal fishing is pushing these sharks toward disappearance. Despite laws banning their catch and sale, at least 40 great white sharks have been killed in North African waters in 2025 alone. Footage verified by the BBC shows protected sharks being landed in ports in Algeria and Tunisia. One video shows a great white shark hauled from a fishing boat in Algeria, and another shows parts of a short-finned mako shark, also protected, being sold in Tunisia. Dr Francesco Ferretti from Virginia Tech says the Mediterranean is heavily fished, making survival tough for sharks. "The impact of industrial fishing has been intensifying... and it's plausible that they will go extinct in the near future," he said. The International Union for Conservation of Nature lists the Mediterranean white shark as Critically Endangered. The team searched the Strait of Sicily, believed to be a last refuge for Mediterranean sharks. They used large amounts of bait and technology to find sharks, but only saw one blue shark briefly. Dr Ferretti called this "disheartening," showing how damaged the ecosystem is. The accidental or targeted catching of young great whites continues near this area. The researchers estimate over 40 have been caught recently, a huge number for such a fragile population. International agreements protect 24 shark species, banning their catch, sale, and display. However, enforcement varies and does not fully prevent accidental catches. James Glancy from Blue Marine found white sharks sold openly in Tunisian markets. He said this shows some sharks remain and offers hope for recovery if action is taken. In poorer North African communities, fishers face tough choices. Sara Almabruk from the Libyan Marine Biology Society explains they often catch sharks accidentally but rely on the catch for food. She advocates supporting fishers with sustainable fishing training to save sharks. James Glancy urges swift cooperation among Mediterranean countries. "There is hope," he said, "but we've got to act very quickly."