Blue shark spotted off Tunisia’s coast, marine biologists say

TUNIS, Tunisia — Blue sharks (Prionace glauca) have been sighted several times off Tunisia’s coast, including in shallow nearshore waters, according to the Tunisian marine biology association TunSea. The group said the species normally inhabits open seas and has no confirmed record of attacks on humans in the Mediterranean. TunSea experts said the sharks’ approach to the coast could be linked to natural factors such as rising sea temperatures, shifting prey distribution, seasonal migrations and breeding cycles. The association urged the public not to approach, hunt or chase the animals and to report any sightings to the relevant authorities and researchers. TunSea stressed that protecting marine biodiversity is essential to maintaining ecological balance. The statement noted that the shark sightings followed recent appearances of other marine organisms, including the Portuguese man o’ war (Physalia physalis), along the country’s coastline.