Research indicates that overfishing and illegal fishing practices are significantly contributing to the decline of shark populations in the Mediterranean Sea, including the vulnerable great white sharks. The reduction of these apex predators can have broad impacts on marine ecosystems, disrupting ecological balance. Recent studies show that illegal fishing activities, often unregulated, target shark species for their fins and meat, exacerbating the decline. The continued pressure from overfishing raises concerns among marine scientists regarding the potential for local extinctions, with some experts warning that immediate conservation actions are necessary to prevent the loss of these species from the region.