Safeguarding the Great White: Fisher Engagement as a Cornerstone for Elasmobranch Conservation in the Mediterranean

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.