The waters off Andalucia are increasingly proven to be a save haven for huge fish, including great white sharks.

While sightings remain extremely rare, researchers from the Spanish Institute of Oceanography confirmed the accidental capture of a juvenile great white shark measuring over two metres in April 2023, reports Diario de Almeria.

The finding, published in a scientific journal, reinforces the idea that these apex predators still pass through the Alboran Sea, even if only occasionally.

It’s not a sign of a resident population, however, as scientists stress that great whites are critically scarce in the Mediterranean.

But their presence, however rare, highlights the ecological importance of this stretch of coastline.

In recent years, Almeria’s waters have seen a steady stream of encounters with large marine species.

From enormous basking sharks to giant sunfish, the area is increasingly recognised as a corridor for ocean giants.

The basking shark, the largest fish in these waters, has been spotted sporadically, including a confirmed sighting in spring 2023.

These filter-feeding giants can grow beyond 10 metres, though they only appear when conditions bring plankton close to the surface.

More commonly seen is the sunfish, or Mola mola, which shows up regularly during the summer months.

Some individuals reach three metres in length and weigh up to two tonnes. Divers and boaters frequently report sightings, especially around Cabo de Gata.

Meanwhile, bluefin tuna continue to pass through the area every year. These powerful migratory fish, some weighing over 600kg, are most visible between May and June as they head into the Mediterranean to spawn.

Swordfish are also present in deeper waters, though they’re less visible, while groupers remain a familiar sight along rocky seabeds, particularly in protected areas where conservation measures have helped populations recover.

Taken together, they show how Almeria isn’t home to these giants year-round, but it sits on a crucial marine crossroads.

Warm currents, food supply and geography make the Alboran Sea a natural meeting point for species moving between the Atlantic and the Mediterranean.

Some pass through briefly, while others return seasonally, but few stay forever.

The recent rise in sightings, however, doesn’t necessarily mean there are more animals.

Experts point instead to increased maritime activity, better monitoring and the spread of footage on social media as reasons why these encounters are being recorded more often.

Read more Andalucia news at the Spanish Eye.