Using citizen science to detect rare and endangered species: New records of the great white shark <i>Carcharodon carcharias</i> off the Libyan coast

Author(s)
Patrick Leopold Jambura, Julia Türtscher, Ioannis Giovos, Jürgen Kriwet, Jamila Rizgalla, Sara A. A. Al Mabruk, Alessandro De Maddalena
Abstract

The presence of the great white shark (Carcharodon carcharias) in the Mediterranean Sea is well documented, but encounters with this species are rare and all assumptions about its spatial and temporal distribution are heavily relying on anecdotal observations. To date, only one record off the Libyan coast has been reported, raising the question if this species is underreported in these waters or simply represents a rare occasional transient. We utilised citizen science-sourced data to document the presence of the great white shark off the Libyan coast, and found six additional records for this species from the period between 2017 and 2020. Our study points out the need for scientific monitoring of this species along the Libyan coast to facilitate the establishment of effective conservation plans to protect this critically endangered species.

Organisation(s)
Department of Palaeontology
External organisation(s)
Environmental Organization for the Preservation of the Aquatic Ecosystems, University of Tripoli, Shark Museum Cape Town, Marine Biology in Libya Society, Higher institute of Science and Technology
Journal
Annales. Annals for Istrian and Mediterranean Studies
Volume
31
Pages
51-60
No. of pages
10
ISSN
1408-5348
DOI
https://doi.org/10.19233/ASHN.2021.08
Publication date
07-2021
Peer reviewed
Yes
Austrian Fields of Science 2012
106003 Biodiversity research, 105118 Palaeontology
Keywords
ASJC Scopus subject areas
Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics, Aquatic Science, Plant Science
Portal url
https://ucris.univie.ac.at/portal/en/publications/using-citizen-science-to-detect-rare-and-endangered-species-new-records-of-the-great-white-shark-carcharodon-carcharias-off-the-libyan-coast(e9ea4497-27a9-437b-90c1-9530c0b7c8ae).html