Statement from the Mersin Governor's Office regarding sharks
Following footage circulating on social media showing sharks caught in fishing nets off the coast of Mersin, the Mersin Governor's Office has issued a statement. The Governor's Office reported that the footage has led to misconceptions and that the sharks caught are species that are not aggressive toward humans.
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In a written statement issued by the Mersin Governor's Office, it was stated that an assessment was made to inform the public accurately regarding the shark footage shared on social media.
The statement noted that the sharks were caught in nets during fishing activities conducted by fishermen approximately 12 nautical miles offshore at depths of 250 to 400 meters. It was emphasized that this situation indicates that these species live in open and deep seas.
The statement also included the views of faculty members from the Mersin University Faculty of Fisheries, expressing that the sharks observed off the Mediterranean and Aegean coasts are generally timid in nature and do not tend to attack humans. It was underlined that the fish species featured in the footage are typically the thresher shark, the bluntnose sixgill shark, and the sixgill shark.
At the end of the statement, it was noted that the Mersin coastline, with its blue-flag bays and natural beauty, remains at the service of citizens, and a call was made to be cautious against misleading content circulating on social media.