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The study by environmental organisation iSea examined 5,596 available records and documented the historical presence of 62 species across Greece: 33 shark species, 28 ray species and one species of chimaera.<\/p>\n
Researchers also drew on historical records, scientific literature, research programmes conducted by iSea since 2018, local ecological knowledge and citizen-science observations to map the distribution of these species in Greek waters.<\/p>\n
The findings challenge the common perception that sharks have only recently appeared in particular parts of Greece. Historical evidence dates back centuries. German doctor and naturalist Dr Theodor Erhard recorded sharks in Greek waters in his 1858 book The Fauna of the Cyclades<\/em>. Aristotle had also described sharks and rays in detail in his work History of Animals<\/em>.<\/p>\n Among the most commonly recorded shark species are the small-spotted catshark (Scyliorhinus canicula<\/em>), common smooth-hound (Mustelus mustelus<\/em>) and blue shark (Prionace glauca<\/em>). Common ray species include the rough ray (Raja radula<\/em>), long-nosed skate (Dipturus oxyrinchus<\/em>) and marbled electric ray (Torpedo marmorata<\/em>).<\/p>\n The research also recorded threatened species, including the great white shark (Carcharodon carcharias<\/em>). Scientists have identified the waters between Mytilene and Turkey as a potentially important breeding area, while larger great white sharks have historically appeared between the Thracian Sea and the Cyclades. (\u03a4\u0391 \u039d\u0395\u0391<\/a>)<\/p>\n Ioannis Giavos, Conservation Manager at iSea, said international research increasingly views sharks in a similar way to dolphins, which moved from being widely persecuted to becoming protected species.<\/p>\n \u201cSharks are the new dolphins,\u201d Giavos said, stressing their irreplaceable role in marine ecosystems.<\/p>\n Despite growing scientific knowledge about sharks and rays over the past two decades, researchers still have limited information about their geographical distribution. Most previous studies have focused on biology and fisheries rather than where the species live.<\/p>\n The study also highlights significant gaps in protection. International legislation protects around half of the shark species found in Greek waters, while Greek legislation directly protects only four.<\/p>\n Researchers say accurate records of which species occur in which areas provide an essential foundation for effective conservation measures. iSea has already used its findings to assess species for Greece\u2019s Red List of threatened species, identify important shark and ray areas in the Mediterranean, help shape action plans for Greece\u2019s two new National Marine Parks and contribute to the expected National Nature Restoration Plan.<\/p>\n The study therefore presents a different picture of Greece\u2019s seas: sharks are not recent intruders, but longstanding inhabitants whose ecological role scientists increasingly seek to understand and protect.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n