Blue sharks are found throughout the Mediterranean, yet it is rare to spot such sharks in Greece, as they live out in very deep waters.
That’s why fishermen in Greece were shocked to see these sharks swimming alongside their fishing boats recently.
On two separate occasions, Greek fisherman found the majestic fish following their boats through the surf.
On Evia, the large island to the east of Attica, and off the coast of Kineta, a town in West Attica, two fisherman spotted the blue sharks, which are known for their long and lean frames and large, wing-like fins.
The stunned fisherman watched the beautiful sharks, who are named for their rich blue color, as they swam alongside the fishing boats, most likely hoping to eat any fish attracted to the bait the men were using.
Blue sharks are not aggressive, rarely bite humans
The pictures of the sharks swimming dangerously close to fishing boats has produced both fear and awe among social media users, yet exports say there is nothing to worry about.
Although it may appear to be a scary sight, blue sharks are not aggressive and rarely ever bite humans.
Since the 16th century, there have only been 13 recorded instances of a blue shark biting a human, and the bite was only fatal four times.
The beautiful sharks are found in Greece, around the world
The blue shark is found in Greece and all over the world in temperate and tropical waters, and routinely migrates incredible distances, such as from the Northeastern US to South America.
Blue sharks, which can grow to be up to 10.8 feet (3.3 meters) long, are currently designated as “near threatened” as their population has been dwindling in recent years.
One of the largest threats to the species is hunting. Blue sharks are edible and their skin can be used for “sharkskin leather.”
They are also sometimes hunted simply for sport, because of their unique and beautiful appearance.
Others kill sharks because they fear them, unaware that many species are not interested in harming humans.
Blue sharks, like all other marine life, are also threatened by pollution and global warming.
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