A rare sighting of a shark off the coast of Paphos was captured on video by spearfisher Anastasios Kavallaris during a dive earlier this week.
According to marine specialists, the shark is likely a Carcharhinus plumbeus, commonly known as a sandbar shark. Similar sightings have been reported in the area in the past.
Kavallaris said he encountered the animal about 200 metres from shore, at a depth of 15 metres. The shark was swimming calmly, and the diver appeared unbothered as he observed from a safe distance.
The sandbar shark is one of the largest coastal shark species, typically found in warm and tropical seas, including the Mediterranean. Females reach lengths of 2 to 2.8 metres, while males grow up to around 1.8 metres.
Though not considered dangerous to humans, the species is classified as vulnerable to extinction globally, and endangered in the Mediterranean. The main threat is coastal fishing, particularly for shark fins — 2–3% of those sold in Hong Kong are believed to come from this species.
Due to its low reproductive rate and long maturation period, overfishing has led to a significant global population decline, except in regions like Hawaii where protective measures are in place.
@anastasiskavallaris When two predators interrupt each other’s hunt to say hi🙋🏻♂️ #spearfishing #freediving #spearfishing_reviews #freefall #fishing #fish #shark #apex #predator #apexpredator #sandbarshark #mediterranean #sea #fypage #fishinglife #paphos #cyprustiktok #island #vacationmode #underwater #content #insta360 #pescaria #pescasub #fy #alchemy #bleutec @Alchemy @bleu_tec @Larnakaonline.com.cy @Sigmalive @PafosPress.com ♬ SHARK – MAXXI MUSIC
