Keywords
Cetorhinus maximus
juvenile
Adriatic Sea
Mediterranean Sea
nursery area
How to Cite
Abstract
ABSTRACT
The basking shark Cetorhinus maximus is a large planktivorous shark which sightings in the Medi-terranean Sea have increased in recent decades, particularly in the Adriatic Sea. This study reports the incidental capture and release of a juvenile basking shark (estimated total length ~2 m) in July 2015 near the island of Mljet, Eastern South Adriatic. The observation aligns with prior records indicating the appearance of juveniles and subadults during summer, after the departure of adults in late spring. When considered alongside global data on juvenile distribution, this finding strengthens the hypothesis that the Mediterranean Sea functions as a significant breeding and nursery area for basking sharks. Furthermore, the consistent regional presence and lack of evidence for migratory exchange with Atlantic populations suggest the possibility of a distinct Mediterranean population.
References
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