Diver on filming rare footage of Great White shark in the Mediterranean

A diver who filmed an incredibly rare encounter with a Great White shark in the Mediterranean in May has described the moment as “pretty special”.

“The shark was pretty close to us […] Volunteer diver Derk Remmers told the BBC: “My fingers were actually shaking when I tried to operate the camera.

Overfishing is thought to have led to the species’ near extinction in the Mediterranean.

Scientists say people should not worry as the shark, believed to be an adult male, was spotted miles offshore between Tunisia and Sicily.

Environmentalists said they hoped the observation could encourage governments to create marine protected areas in Mediterranean waters.

Divers working for the NGO Healthy Seas recorded footage while diving to highlight the problem of so-called “ghost fishing nets”.