A video sent to this newsroom shows what seems to be a great white shark swimming the Delimara waters.
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The sailors came across the shortfin mako (scientific name Isurus oxyrinchus), expressing their bewilderment at catching a glimpse of the magnificent but understandably terrifying creature.
MaltaDaily has reached out to Researcher Alex Sharkman, who as of yet can confirm, along with Ian Fergusson, a Mediterranean shark specialist, that this is a shortfin mako.
The shark probably measures around 4 metres in length – a size which is still very rare to be spotted in the islands’ waters. The species is also protected.
‘While this shark bears many characteristics of a white shark, the clear frames of the rounded apex to pectoral fin; the pelvic fin & caudal peduncle lean more to this being a particularly large Isurus oxyrinchus, unusually close inshore’.
#MaltaDaily