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Wildlife Expeditions

Wildlife of
Mediterranean Sea

Semi-enclosed sea between Europe, Africa, and Asia
190 Species
~2.5 million km² Area
5,267 m Max Depth
Overview

Understanding This Category

The Mediterranean Sea is a semi-enclosed intercontinental sea of the Atlantic Ocean basin, connected to the open Atlantic through the Strait of Gibraltar and bordered by southern Europe, North Africa, and the Near East.

The Mediterranean Sea forms a vast marine crossroads between three continents, where narrow straits, complex coastlines, and numerous islands create a mosaic of habitats-from rocky reefs and seagrass meadows to deep basins and productive continental shelves. Although it is part of the Atlantic system, its restricted exchange with the ocean and strong evaporation give it distinctive physical and chemical conditions, including comparatively warm waters and elevated salinity.

Its circulation is shaped by the inflow of fresher Atlantic surface waters through Gibraltar, transformation within the basin, and the export of denser, saltier intermediate and deep waters back into the Atlantic. This "anti-estuarine" pattern, coupled with pronounced regional variability (e.g., western vs. eastern basins) and seasonal mixing, helps structure ecological productivity and biodiversity.

Biologically, the Mediterranean supports temperate-to-subtropical ecosystems with notable endemism and high species richness, including iconic seagrass (Neptune grass) meadows, coralligenous assemblages, and diverse pelagic and benthic communities. At the same time, intense coastal development, shipping, fishing pressure, and biological invasions (including via the Suez Canal) make it a globally important region for marine conservation and management.

Etymology: From a Latin term meaning 'in the middle of land', reflecting the sea's position enclosed by the surrounding continents.

Key Characteristics

Semi-enclosed sea with limited exchange with the Atlantic via the Strait of Gibraltar
High evaporation relative to precipitation and river input, yielding elevated salinity and an anti-estuarine circulation (Atlantic inflow at the surface; denser outflow at depth)
Strong regional circulation and basin-scale contrasts between western and eastern Mediterranean sub-basins
Temperate-to-subtropical marine ecosystems with high habitat heterogeneity (islands, shelves, deep basins)
Notable endemic biodiversity and unique habitats such as Neptune grass seagrass meadows and coralligenous reefs
High human use and environmental pressures, including intense shipping, coastal development, overfishing, and non-indigenous species introductions
At a Glance

Quick Facts

Type Sea
Area ~2.5 million km²
Max Depth 5,267 m (Calypso Deep, Ionian Sea)
Temperature ~13-30°C (seasonal; varies by region)
Salinity ~38 ppt (typically ~36-39 ppt)
Bordering Countries 21 countries on 3 continents

Ancient maritime civilizations, high salinity and circulation, rich endemic biodiversity, tourism and fisheries

Physical Features

Geography

A semi-enclosed sea between southern Europe, North Africa, and the Near East, extending from the Strait of Gibraltar in the west to the Levantine coasts in the east and lying north of the Sahara and south of the European mainland.

2.5 million km² Area
~1,500 m Average Depth
~5,267 m Max Depth

Calypso Deep (Ionian Sea), within the Hellenic Trench system south-west of Greece (~5,267 m)

Major Features

  • Strait of Gibraltar (Atlantic-Mediterranean gateway)
  • Sicily Channel / Strait of Sicily (western-eastern basin exchange zone)
  • Hellenic Trench (major subduction-related trench system)
  • Calypso Deep (deepest known point in the Mediterranean)
  • Mediterranean Ridge (accretionary wedge south of Greece/Crete)
  • Eratosthenes Seamount (prominent seamount south of Cyprus)
  • Nile Deep-Sea Fan (large submarine sediment fan off the Nile Delta)
  • Alboran Basin (westernmost basin with strong gyre circulation)
  • Tyrrhenian Basin (deep back-arc basin with volcanic margins)
  • Adriatic Basin (shallow northern shelf; dense water formation region)
  • Levantine Basin (high-salinity eastern basin; key intermediate water formation area)

Islands

  • Sicily
  • Sardinia
  • Corsica
  • Balearic Islands (Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza, Formentera)
  • Malta (and Gozo)
  • Crete
  • Cyprus
  • Rhodes
  • Euboea
  • Dodecanese
  • Ionian Islands (e.g., Corfu, Kefalonia, Zakynthos)
  • Cyclades (e.g., Naxos, Santorini)
  • Aegean islands (incl. Lesbos, Chios, Samos)

Coastline Countries

Morocco

Mediterranean coast including the Alboran Sea approaches (plus proximity to the Strait of Gibraltar).

Spain

Extensive Mediterranean coast (Costa Brava to Andalusia) including the Balearic Sea area.

United Kingdom

Mediterranean presence via the overseas territory of Gibraltar at the Strait of Gibraltar.

France

Mediterranean coast along the Gulf of Lion (including Corsica as a French island).

Monaco

Small coastline on the French Riviera.

Italy

Major central-basin coastline including Sicily, Sardinia, and the Tyrrhenian/Adriatic/Ionian margins.

Malta

Island state in the central Mediterranean south of Sicily.

Slovenia

Short Adriatic coastline near the Gulf of Trieste.

Croatia

Long, island-rich Adriatic coastline.

Bosnia And Herzegovina

Very short Adriatic coastline near Neum.

Montenegro

Adriatic coastline including the Bay of Kotor area.

Albania

Coastline on the Adriatic and Ionian seas.

Greece

Extensive coastline and archipelagos across the Ionian and Aegean basins.

Turkey

Coastline along the Aegean and Levantine margins, including the Sea of Marmara approaches.

Cyprus

Island in the eastern Mediterranean (Levantine Basin).

Syria

Eastern Mediterranean coastline on the Levant.

Lebanon

Eastern Mediterranean coastline on the Levant.

Israel

Eastern Mediterranean coastline along the Levantine Basin.

Palestine

Mediterranean frontage via the Gaza Strip coastline.

Egypt

Southern-eastern Mediterranean coast including the Nile Delta and Suez area.

Libya

Long North African coastline along the central and eastern basins.

Tunisia

North African coastline between the western and central Mediterranean (including Gulf of Gabès).

Algeria

North African Mediterranean coastline along the western basin.

Connected Waters

  • Atlantic Ocean — Natural connection via the Strait of Gibraltar (two-layer exchange flow).
  • Red Sea — Artificial connection via the Suez Canal enabling biotic exchange (Lessepsian migration).

Boundaries

Bordered by the coasts of southern Europe (Iberian, French, Italian, Balkan and Greek peninsulas), North Africa (Morocco to Egypt), and the Near East (Turkey to the Levant). It connects to the Atlantic Ocean through the Strait of Gibraltar and to the Red Sea via the Suez Canal; it also exchanges water with the Black Sea through the Turkish Straits system (Dardanelles-Sea of Marmara-Bosphorus).

Physical Characteristics

Oceanography

Temperature Range ~12-30°C (basin-wide, surface; winter minima in northern/western sub-basins, summer maxima in eastern/southern areas). Deep waters commonly ~12.5-13.5°C.

Surface avg: ~18-22°C (annual mean varies by sub-basin; western/northern lower, eastern/southern higher).

Deep avg: ~13°C (deep and intermediate layers are relatively warm compared with the open ocean at similar latitudes).

Salinity High (typically ~37-39 PSU; locally higher in the eastern basin, lower near Atlantic inflow and major river/plume areas).

Net evaporation exceeds precipitation + river input, driving elevated salinity. Fresher Atlantic Water enters at the surface through Gibraltar (~36-37 PSU) and becomes saltier eastward; salty intermediate waters export back toward the Atlantic at depth.

Seasonal Variation

Strong seasonality: winter surface cooling and deep convection in select regions (e.g., Gulf of Lion, Adriatic, Aegean); summer surface warming with a pronounced thermocline (typically ~10-50 m). Eastern basin generally warmer than western for much of the year.

Currents

Anti-estuarine exchange at Gibraltar: surface inflow of Atlantic Water (AW) into the Mediterranean and deeper outflow of Mediterranean Outflow Water (MOW) into the Atlantic. Basin-scale circulation includes cyclonic/anticyclonic gyres and boundary currents shaped by complex topography. Notable systems: Algerian Current and associated eddies (western basin), Liguro-Provençal Current, Tyrrhenian circulation, Adriatic inflow/outflow exchanges, Ionian circulation variability (including decadal reversals influencing the Eastern Mediterranean), and the Asia Minor Current / Levantine circulation with energetic eddies in the Levantine Basin.

Tides

Generally microtidal: typical tidal ranges ~0.1-0.5 m over much of the basin, with larger ranges in a few areas due to resonance and local geometry (can approach ~1 m or more locally, e.g., parts of the northern Adriatic). Tides are mixed (diurnal/semidiurnal) depending on location; sea-level variability is often dominated by winds and atmospheric pressure (storm surges, seiches) rather than astronomical tide.

Water Masses

Key water masses: (1) Atlantic Water (AW) enters at the surface and becomes progressively warmer/saltier eastward. (2) Levantine Intermediate Water (LIW) forms mainly in the Levantine (winter cooling + evaporation) at ~200-600 m, warm and salty (~14-16°C; ~38.5-39+ PSU), spreading westward and contributing strongly to MOW. (3) Western Mediterranean Deep Water (WMDW) forms via winter convection (notably Gulf of Lion) and fills deep western basins (~12.5-13°C; ~38.4-38.6 PSU). (4) Eastern Mediterranean Deep Water (EMDW) forms primarily in the Adriatic and Aegean (via dense-water formation) and ventilates eastern depths (~13-14°C; ~38.7-39.1 PSU). Overall characterized by relatively warm deep waters, high salinity, and efficient intermediate-depth ventilation compared with many open-ocean basins.

Stratification

Typically strongly stratified in spring-summer: a warm, lower-salinity (relative) surface layer overlying saltier intermediate waters (LIW), then deep waters. Winter mixing partially erodes stratification; deep convection occurs episodically in key formation regions (Gulf of Lion, Adriatic, Aegean), renewing deep and intermediate layers. Eastern basin often shows stronger haline stratification due to higher salinity, while local freshwater inputs (e.g., Po, Nile outflow remnants, Black Sea influence via the Turkish Straits to the Aegean) can enhance near-surface buoyancy locally.

Upwelling

Upwelling is generally weaker and more localized than in major eastern boundary current systems, but occurs in: (1) wind-driven coastal upwelling zones along parts of the Iberian/Alboran region and North African coast (especially western/central Mediterranean), (2) localized upwelling and nutrient injection around prominent straits, sills, and shelf breaks (e.g., Strait of Gibraltar/Alboran gyres, Sicily Channel), and (3) mesoscale eddy-driven upwelling/downwelling features (e.g., Algerian eddies, Levantine eddies) that can intermittently elevate nutrients into the euphotic zone. Overall nutrient supply is strongly influenced by winter mixing and lateral inputs rather than persistent large-scale upwelling.

Unique Conditions

Anti-estuarine circulation (surface Atlantic inflow, deeper Mediterranean outflow) driven by net evaporation; exceptionally high salinity for a mid-latitude sea; relatively warm deep waters; strong mesoscale eddy activity (notably Alboran and Algerian eddies) shaping productivity and transport. Marked west-east gradient: the eastern Mediterranean is among the most oligotrophic marine regions globally (very low surface nutrients/chlorophyll). Episodic deep-water formation and interannual-decadal circulation shifts (e.g., Eastern Mediterranean Transient-like events) can rapidly alter ventilation, temperature/salinity structure, and biogeochemistry. Sea-level variability often dominated by atmospheric forcing and basin-scale seiches rather than tides.

Weather & Conditions

Climate

The Mediterranean Sea has a predominantly temperate-to-subtropical marine climate shaped by its semi-enclosed geometry, strong evaporation, and limited exchange with the Atlantic through the Strait of Gibraltar. High evaporation relative to precipitation and river input drives elevated salinity, especially in the eastern basin, while regional winds and basin-scale circulation create strong gradients in temperature, salinity, and biological productivity (generally higher in the northwestern and some coastal/upwelling-influenced areas, lower in much of the eastern basin). Sea-surface temperatures range from cool in winter to very warm in late summer, with frequent seasonal stratification and episodic mixing events that influence nutrients and ecosystems.

Seasons

Winter (roughly Dec-Mar): coolest sea-surface temperatures, increased wind-driven mixing and deeper mixed layers; more frequent frontal systems and rough seas, especially in the western and central basins. Spring (Apr-Jun): rapid warming and onset of stratification; productivity pulses often follow winter mixing, varying by sub-basin and proximity to nutrient sources. Summer (Jul-Sep): warmest waters, strong stratification, generally calmer sea state; heatwaves in the marine environment can raise SSTs well above seasonal norms, and localized upwelling may occur under persistent winds. Autumn (Oct-Nov): gradual cooling, weakening stratification, and an increase in rain and convective events; this transition can bring energetic weather and short-lived high-impact coastal storms.

Storm Activity

The Mediterranean does not experience tropical hurricanes/typhoons in the same way as open-ocean tropical basins due to limited size, generally cooler waters, and strong wind shear. However, it does produce intense extratropical cyclones and mesoscale lows year-round, peaking in the cool season, which can generate gale-to-storm-force winds, high waves, and storm surges-particularly in the Gulf of Lion, Adriatic, Aegean, and Ionian regions depending on track and local wind regimes (e.g., Mistral, Bora, Etesians). In some cases, tropical-like cyclones ("medicanes") form mostly in autumn to early winter when the sea is still warm and upper-level cold air supports convection; these are relatively rare, typically smaller than tropical cyclones, but can bring damaging winds, heavy rainfall, and coastal flooding.

Ice Conditions

Sea ice is generally absent across the Mediterranean. Under rare, exceptional cold outbreaks, short-lived coastal or nearshore ice can occur in the northernmost enclosed/shallow areas (e.g., parts of the northern Adriatic and lagoons/estuaries), but it is uncommon, localized, and not a persistent seasonal feature.

Ecology

Marine Life

The Mediterranean Sea is a semi-enclosed, evaporation-dominated basin with relatively high salinity, strong west-east gradients in temperature and nutrients, and complex circulation that creates a mosaic of temperate-to-subtropical habitats. Despite generally oligotrophic (nutrient-poor) waters-especially in the eastern basin-it supports high habitat diversity (from coastal lagoons and seagrass meadows to deep basins and submarine canyons) and a distinctive biota shaped by isolation, Atlantic inflow through Gibraltar, and long human use (fishing, coastal development, shipping).

High Biodiversity

High biodiversity for a temperate sea, with strong regional turnover (western vs. eastern basins), many habitat-specialists (e.g., coralligenous assemblages, seagrass-associated fauna), and notable endemism fostered by semi-enclosure and varied microclimates. Biodiversity is unevenly distributed: coastal and structured habitats (seagrass, rocky reefs, coralligenous) are especially species-rich, while offshore waters are comparatively less productive but still support diverse pelagic and deep-sea communities.

Species count: ≈17,000 described marine species; ~20-30% considered endemic to the Mediterranean

Ecosystems

  • Posidonia oceanica seagrass meadows (blue-carbon, nursery habitat)
  • Other seagrass beds (e.g., Cymodocea nodosa) and mixed phanerogam habitats
  • Coralligenous reefs (biogenic calcareous build-ups dominated by algae, gorgonians, sponges)
  • Rocky reefs and macroalgal forests (incl. Cystoseira/Gongolaria canopies)
  • Sandy and muddy soft-bottom communities (infauna, burrowing megafauna)
  • Coastal lagoons, estuaries, and deltas (highly variable salinity; key for fish recruitment)
  • Submarine canyons and slope systems (organic matter funnels; deep biodiversity hotspots)
  • Deep basins/abyssal plains (oligotrophic deep-sea communities)
  • Cold-water coral and deep gorgonian/sponge assemblages (patchy, localized)
  • Pelagic/open-water food webs (plankton-driven; migratory fishes and cetaceans)

Endemic Species

  • Posidonia oceanica (Mediterranean seagrass)
  • Pinna nobilis (fan mussel)
  • Patella ferruginea (ferruginous limpet)
  • Laminaria rodriguezii (deep-water kelp)
  • Cystoseira mediterranea (brown macroalga)
Habitats

Ecological Zones

Neritic Zone

The Mediterranean neritic zone spans the sunlit coastal shelf and nearshore waters, shaped by steep continental margins, limited shelf area in many regions, and strong local variation from river-influenced gulfs to ultra-oligotrophic rocky coasts. High salinity and clear water favor extensive seagrass meadows (especially Posidonia oceanica and Cymodocea nodosa) and photophilic algal communities on hard substrates. Coastal habitats include lagoons, estuaries, and embayments that act as nurseries for fish and invertebrates, while rocky reefs and coralligenous outcrops support high endemism and complex habitat structure. Productivity is often localized and seasonal-enhanced by winter mixing, upwelling hotspots, river plumes (e.g., Po, Rhone, Ebro), and fronts-supporting fisheries for small pelagics (sardine, anchovy), demersal fishes, octopus, and bivalves in suitable areas. Coastal pressures (urbanization, pollution, trawling impacts on soft bottoms, invasive species via shipping and the Suez Canal) strongly influence community composition.

Pelagic Zone

The Mediterranean pelagic zone is dominated by generally oligotrophic (nutrient-poor) open waters with high clarity and a pronounced east-west gradient, with the eastern basin typically more nutrient-limited than the western. Seasonal stratification is strong: winter cooling and wind-driven mixing deepen the mixed layer and replenish surface nutrients, while summer stratification limits nutrient resupply and favors smaller phytoplankton and microbial production. Mesoscale features-fronts, eddies, and boundary currents-create patchy productivity and aggregation zones for plankton, fish, and top predators. The pelagic community includes small pelagic fishes (sardine, anchovy, sprat locally), medium predators (mackerels, bonitos), large pelagics (bluefin tuna, swordfish), and abundant gelatinous zooplankton (jellyfish and salps) that can bloom under certain conditions. Deep pelagic layers include vertically migrating mesopelagic fishes and cephalopods that link surface production to deeper waters, while cetaceans (fin whale, sperm whale, dolphins) forage along productive corridors such as the Ligurian-Provençal region and major basin fronts.

Benthic Zone

The Mediterranean benthic zone ranges from dynamic shallow sands and rocky shores to deep basins with relatively warm, saline deep waters compared with the Atlantic at similar depths. Shallow benthos features seagrass-rooted sediments, maerl (rhodolith) beds in some areas, and rocky reefs with algae, sponges, and reef-building organisms; these habitats stabilize sediments, store carbon, and provide refuge and nursery grounds. A hallmark mid-depth habitat is the coralligenous assemblage-biogenic, carbonate-rich structures built largely by encrusting red algae and inhabited by sponges, gorgonians, bryozoans, and diverse invertebrates-forming biodiversity hotspots on dimly lit rocky bottoms. Deeper slopes and seamounts host cold-water corals and vulnerable sponge grounds in suitable currents, while soft-bottom communities include burrowing bivalves, polychaetes, echinoderms, and crustaceans that recycle organic matter. Because surface productivity is often low, much of the deep benthic ecosystem depends on episodic particle flux, marine snow, and lateral transport from margins and canyons; trawling on continental slopes and climate-driven oxygen/nutrient shifts can substantially alter these communities.

Demersal Zone

The demersal zone in the Mediterranean includes fishes and invertebrates living close to the seabed on shelves, slopes, and in submarine canyons, where they exploit benthic prey and detrital resources while also feeding into higher trophic levels. Soft-bottom shelves support demersal assemblages such as hake (Merluccius merluccius), red mullets, soles, and cuttlefish, while rocky and structured habitats (reefs, coralligenous) support groupers, sea breams, scorpionfishes, lobsters, and diverse crustaceans. On deeper slopes, species like deepwater rose shrimp, Norway lobster, and various grenadiers and cephalopods are common, often concentrated along canyon systems that funnel organic matter and provide complex terrain. Demersal predators connect the benthic and pelagic systems by consuming benthic invertebrates and small fishes while being prey for larger fishes, sharks and rays (where present), and marine mammals. This zone is particularly sensitive to bottom-contact fishing gears and habitat degradation, because many demersal species rely on specific substrates and slow-growing biogenic structures.

Migratory Season

Notable migrations include (1) Atlantic bluefin tuna entering the Mediterranean primarily in spring to early summer (roughly April-July) to spawn in warmer, stratified waters (e.g., Balearic and Tyrrhenian regions, central Mediterranean), with dispersal later in summer and autumn; (2) swordfish showing seasonal movements with increased spawning-related presence in warmer months (late spring-summer) and broader dispersal in cooler seasons; (3) small pelagics (sardine, anchovy) shifting distribution seasonally with temperature, plankton availability, and spawning timing-often schooling near productive coastal fronts in cooler months and dispersing or moving deeper/offshore in summer; (4) cetaceans tracking prey and fronts-fin whales concentrating seasonally in productive areas such as the Ligurian Sea during spring-summer, while sperm whales and some dolphins use canyon-rich slopes year-round with seasonal foraging peaks; and (5) sea turtles (loggerhead, green) undertaking seasonal foraging and nesting movements, with nesting in late spring-summer and post-nesting dispersal into foraging grounds across basins. Movements are strongly influenced by regional circulation, temperature fronts, and localized productivity hotspots.

Key Food Webs

Key Mediterranean food webs are often driven by oligotrophic, microbe-leaning pathways with strong spatial and seasonal pulses. A dominant chain is: picophytoplankton and nanophytoplankton → microzooplankton (ciliates, heterotrophic flagellates) → mesozooplankton (copepods) → small pelagic fishes (anchovy, sardine) → larger pelagics (tuna, bonito, swordfish) and top predators (dolphins, sharks, seabirds). In spring and during mixing/upwelling events, larger phytoplankton can increase, strengthening a more classical pathway: diatoms → copepods/krill-like crustaceans → small pelagics → predators. Benthic-coupled webs are also central: seagrass and macroalgae production plus detritus → deposit feeders and grazers (sea urchins, gastropods, amphipods) → demersal fishes (wrasses, breams, mullets) and cephalopods → higher predators (groupers, large fishes, dolphins). Coralligenous and sponge-dominated reefs support suspension-feeding networks: phytoplankton/particulates → sponges, bryozoans, bivalves → reef-associated predators (scorpionfish, lobsters) → larger demersals. Deep-slope systems depend heavily on exported organic matter: marine snow and carrion → benthic invertebrates and scavengers (crustaceans, echinoderms) → deep demersal fishes and cephalopods → sperm whales and large predatory fishes. Across these webs, gelatinous zooplankton blooms can intermittently divert energy from fish-dominated pathways, affecting recruitment and predator-prey dynamics.

Species

Iconic Marine Life

Mediterranean monk seal One of the rarest marine mammals on Earth and historically emblematic of the Mediterranean's secluded caves and rocky coasts; its survival is tightly linked to the region's semi-enclosed nature and human pressures.
Loggerhead sea turtle A flagship migratory reptile that forages widely across Mediterranean basins and nests on its beaches, reflecting the sea's role as both feeding ground and breeding habitat in a temperate-subtropical setting.
Common bottlenose dolphin
Common bottlenose dolphin Widely recognized and frequently encountered along Mediterranean coasts, it is closely associated with productive coastal fronts and regional circulation patterns that concentrate prey.
Atlantic bluefin tuna An iconic large pelagic predator that uses the Mediterranean as a major spawning area; its prominence underscores the basin's connectivity to the Atlantic and its long cultural and fisheries history.
Mediterranean red coral A classic Mediterranean emblem of rocky reefs and coralligenous habitats; it is notable for regional endemism/strong Mediterranean affinity and a long history of harvesting and conservation concern.
Neptune grass (Mediterranean seagrass) A defining habitat-forming species endemic to the Mediterranean, creating extensive seagrass meadows that structure coastal ecosystems, support biodiversity, and stabilize sediments in clear, saline waters.
Purple sea urchin A familiar grazer on Mediterranean rocky shores that strongly shapes algal communities and 'barrens,' making it a characteristic and ecologically influential species across the basin.
Protection

Conservation

The Mediterranean Sea is a global biodiversity hotspot with high endemism but is among the most human-impacted marine regions due to its semi-enclosed nature, dense coastal populations, intense maritime traffic, and long history of resource use. Many coastal and benthic habitats (seagrass meadows, coralligenous reefs, coastal wetlands, and reefs/canyons) are degraded or fragmented. While marine protected areas and regional cooperation are expanding, ecosystem condition is generally stressed and many assessed fish stocks remain overexploited, with climate-driven warming and biological invasions accelerating change.

Status

Stressed; high human pressure with localized improvements inside well-managed protected areas

Declining Current Trend

Threats

Overfishing critical

High exploitation rates and illegal/unreported fishing continue to depress many assessed stocks; sensitive species (sharks, rays, large pelagics, groupers) are particularly affected, with bycatch impacts on turtles, seabirds, and cetaceans.

Pollution high

Chronic plastic and microplastic contamination, nutrient/organic loading near coasts, chemical pollutants (e.g., persistent organics, heavy metals), and episodic oil/ship-source pollution; wastewater overflows and inadequate treatment remain significant in some areas.

Climate Change critical

Rapid warming, more frequent and intense marine heatwaves, shifts in species distributions, mass mortality events (e.g., benthic invertebrates), increased stratification and deoxygenation risk, and ongoing acidification affecting calcifiers.

Invasive Species high

Lessepsian migration via the Suez Canal and shipping-mediated introductions (ballast water, hull fouling) are reshaping food webs; invasive herbivorous fish and predatory invertebrates can cause habitat and fisheries impacts.

Habitat Loss high

Coastal development, dredging, anchoring damage, trawling on sensitive bottoms, and coastal squeeze reduce and fragment key habitats such as Posidonia seagrass meadows, coralligenous assemblages, and coastal wetlands/estuaries.

Human Disturbance moderate

Intense shipping, boating, and tourism drive underwater noise, collision risk for cetaceans, disturbance at breeding/foraging sites, and localized habitat damage from anchoring and recreational use.

Infrastructure moderate

Ports, coastal defenses, seabed cables/pipelines, desalination outfalls, and offshore energy expansion can alter habitats, increase turbidity/noise, and fragment seascapes if poorly sited or managed.

Natural System Modification moderate

River regulation and damming reduce sediment and nutrient delivery, contributing to delta/coastal wetland erosion; altered freshwater inflows affect estuarine and nearshore ecosystems.

Resource Depletion moderate

Unsustainable extraction/pressure on vulnerable resources (e.g., certain invertebrates, corals, and forage fish) and cumulative impacts reduce ecosystem resilience.

Disease moderate

Warming-associated disease outbreaks and mass mortality events in benthic organisms (e.g., gorgonians, sponges) and increased pathogen dynamics in stressed coastal zones.

Environmental Issues

Pollution

High levels of marine litter (notably plastics) and microplastics; localized eutrophication and hypoxia near urban/industrial/agricultural outfalls; chemical contaminants in sediments and biota near industrial hotspots; ship-source pollution and oil spill risk along major routes.

Overfishing

Many assessed stocks remain overexploited or fully exploited; trawling pressure affects demersal habitats; bycatch remains a key issue for turtles, elasmobranchs, and seabirds; enforcement and data quality vary strongly among subregions.

ClimateImpacts

Warming is rapid relative to many oceans, with frequent marine heatwaves causing coral-like community losses in coralligenous systems and shifts toward warm-water assemblages; acidification and deoxygenation risks increase stress on calcifiers and deeper/basin systems; phenology changes and altered productivity patterns are increasingly evident.

InvasiveSpecies

Strong invasion pressure via the Suez Canal and shipping; notable impacts from invasive herbivorous fish (e.g., rabbitfish) contributing to algal overgrazing and habitat change in parts of the eastern Mediterranean, plus invasive jellyfish and invertebrates affecting fisheries and tourism.

Protected Areas

  • Pelagos Sanctuary for Mediterranean Marine Mammals (France-Italy-Monaco)
  • Natura 2000 marine sites (EU network across the Mediterranean)
  • Gokova Bay Marine Protected Area (Turkey)
  • Cabrera Archipelago National Park (Spain)
  • Port-Cros National Park (France)
  • Tavolara-Punta Coda Cavallo Marine Protected Area (Italy)
  • Alonissos Northern Sporades National Marine Park (Greece)
  • Kornati National Park (Croatia)

International Agreements

  • Barcelona Convention (Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment and the Coastal Region of the Mediterranean) and its Protocols
  • UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)
  • Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)
  • Ramsar Convention on Wetlands (Mediterranean coastal wetlands)
  • CITES (trade controls affecting marine species)
  • Bonn Convention (CMS) and ACCOBAMS (cetaceans)
  • General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) measures
  • EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) (for EU Mediterranean states)
  • IMO MARPOL (shipping pollution prevention)

Conservation Priorities

  • Reduce fishing mortality and bycatch through science-based quotas/effort controls, gear modifications, and strong compliance (including IUU enforcement)
  • Protect and restore key habitats (Posidonia seagrass, coralligenous reefs, coastal wetlands) and prevent bottom-impacting activities in sensitive areas
  • Expand and effectively manage MPAs (well-enforced no-take zones, connectivity, monitoring) rather than only increasing nominal coverage
  • Cut marine litter and microplastics via source reduction, improved waste management, port reception facilities, and storm/wastewater control
  • Upgrade wastewater treatment and reduce nutrient/chemical inputs from urban and agricultural sources, focusing on hotspots and enclosed bays
  • Climate adaptation planning: identify refugia, reduce local stressors, and incorporate heatwave response/early warning for sensitive habitats
  • Prevent and manage invasives: ballast-water/hull-fouling controls, targeted rapid response where feasible, and monitoring of Suez/shipping entry pathways
  • Reduce shipping impacts via routing, speed management in key cetacean areas, quieter ship practices, and spill preparedness
  • Improve basin-wide data sharing and coordinated monitoring (biodiversity, contaminants, fisheries) to support adaptive management and equitable enforcement
Notable Places

Famous Locations

Strait of Gibraltar

Strait

Narrow passage connecting the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea between Spain and Morocco.

Controls most water exchange with the Atlantic and strongly influences Mediterranean circulation, salinity, and ecology; also a globally significant maritime chokepoint.

Gulf of Lion

Bay

Large embayment of the northwestern Mediterranean off southern France.

Major site of winter deep-water formation and strong northerly winds that shape regional oceanography and productivity.

Bonifacio Strait

Strait

Channel between Corsica (France) and Sardinia (Italy).

Notable for intense currents, complex navigation conditions, and protected waters within the International Marine Park of the Strait of Bonifacio.

Pelagos Sanctuary (Liguro-Provencal Basin)

Marine Park

International marine protected area spanning waters of France, Monaco, and Italy in the northwestern Mediterranean.

One of the Mediterranean's best-known large MPAs, recognized for high densities of cetaceans (fin whales, striped dolphins) and transboundary conservation.

Cabrera Archipelago Maritime-Terrestrial National Park

Marine Park

Protected island group south of Mallorca (Balearic Islands, Spain) with clear waters and seagrass meadows.

Flagship protected area for well-preserved Posidonia oceanica seagrass, important for biodiversity, carbon storage, and fisheries nursery habitat.

Cap de Creus

Marine Park

Rugged headland and nearshore protected area on Spain's Catalan coast at the eastern end of the Pyrenees.

Biodiversity hotspot shaped by strong winds and currents; noted for underwater caves, rocky reefs, and rich benthic communities.

Port-Cros National Park

Marine Park

France's oldest marine national park in the Hyeres Islands, with protected coastal waters and islands.

Model Mediterranean MPA with long-term protection supporting healthy fish populations and recovering ecosystems.

Medes Islands

Diving Site

Small protected archipelago off L'Estartit on Spain's Costa Brava.

Among the Mediterranean's most famous dive sites; long-standing protection has produced high fish biomass and iconic grouper sightings.

Lavezzi Islands

Island

Granite islets south of Corsica within the Strait of Bonifacio reserve.

Renowned for clear water diving, seabird habitat, and sensitive seagrass and rocky-reef ecosystems under strong conservation measures.

La Maddalena Archipelago

Island

Island group off northeastern Sardinia, Italy, with extensive shallow bays and channels.

A major national park area known for seagrass meadows, coastal biodiversity, and important habitat for marine fauna in the Tyrrhenian Sea.

Egadi Islands

Island

Archipelago off western Sicily (Favignana, Levanzo, Marettimo).

Hosts one of the largest MPAs in Europe; notable for rich marine life, seagrass habitats, and historical tuna trap fisheries.

Ustica Island

Diving Site

Volcanic island north of Palermo with a surrounding marine reserve.

One of Italy's best-known marine reserves and dive destinations, valued for clear waters, volcanic seascapes, and protected fish populations.

Maltese Islands (incl. Blue Hole, Gozo)

Diving Site

Diving areas around Malta and Gozo featuring caves, arches, and steep drop-offs.

Internationally famous Mediterranean diving region with exceptional underwater visibility and geological formations.

Calanques National Park (near Marseille)

Marine Park

Protected coastal massif with deep inlets (calanques) and adjacent marine zones.

Iconic Mediterranean coastal-marine landscape; important for habitat protection, including reefs, caves, and seagrass meadows near a major city.

Santorini (Thera) Caldera

Island

Volcanic island complex in the Aegean with a submerged caldera and steep underwater walls.

Notable for dramatic volcanic seascapes, unique geology, and popular dive sites tied to one of the Mediterranean's most famous eruptions.

Hellenic Trench (Hellenic Arc)

Trench

Deep trench system south of Greece (Ionian to south of Crete) along the Hellenic subduction zone.

Among the Mediterranean's deepest and most tectonically active areas; important for seismic/tsunami research and deep-sea habitats.

Calypso Deep (Ionian Sea)

Trench

The deepest known point of the Mediterranean, located in the Ionian Sea within the Hellenic Trench system.

Extreme-depth environment used in oceanographic studies of Mediterranean deep waters and geology.

Strait of Messina

Strait

Narrow strait between Sicily and mainland Italy with strong tidal currents.

Famed for complex hydrodynamics and upwelling that support diverse plankton and unusual deep-water species appearing near the surface.

Skerki Bank

Seamount

Shallow bank and complex seabed between Sicily and Tunisia, including ridges and seamount-like highs.

Well-known hazard and historical shipwreck area; also ecologically important for fisheries and as a biodiversity-rich seabed feature.

Yongala-like WWII wrecks of Malta (e.g., HMS Maori)

Shipwreck

Historic wreck dives around Malta from World War II, including patrol boats and aircraft.

Major draw for wreck diving in the Mediterranean, combining cultural heritage with artificial-reef habitat value.

Zenobia Wreck (off Larnaca, Cyprus)

Shipwreck

Large roll-on/roll-off ferry that sank in 1980 near Cyprus, lying on its side at recreational diving depths.

Widely regarded as one of the world's top wreck dives; supports abundant marine life and is a flagship Mediterranean wreck site.

People & the Sea

Human Interaction

Historical Significance

The Mediterranean Sea has been a core corridor for maritime trade, migration, and cultural exchange since antiquity, linking the Levant, North Africa, and southern Europe. It underpinned ancient civilizations including the Egyptians, Phoenicians (major seafaring traders), Greeks (colonization and exploration across the basin), Carthaginians, and Romans (who called it Mare Nostrum and built extensive port and shipping infrastructure). Key historical trade routes moved grain (notably from Egypt and North Africa to Rome), olive oil, wine, metals, timber, ceramics, textiles, and later spices and luxury goods via Levantine connections. The sea also hosted pivotal naval conflicts (e.g., Punic Wars, Battle of Actium, Lepanto), medieval crusader and Ottoman-Venetian rivalry, and early modern exploration that connected Mediterranean commerce to Atlantic routes after the Age of Discovery. Historic port cities-Alexandria, Carthage/Tunis region, Athens/Piraeus, Rhodes, Venice, Genoa, Marseille, Barcelona, and Valletta-served as long-lived nodes of maritime power, shipbuilding, and navigation innovation; Constantinople (modern Istanbul) was a major maritime hub on the Sea of Marmara connected to the Mediterranean via the Dardanelles.

Shipping

The Mediterranean is one of the world's busiest semi-enclosed seas for container shipping, energy transport, ferries, and short-sea trade, concentrated along east-west trunk routes between the Strait of Gibraltar and the Suez Canal. Major lanes run: (1) Gibraltar-Alboran Sea-western Mediterranean to the Ligurian/Tyrrhenian hubs and onward to the Adriatic and Aegean; (2) central corridor via Sicily Channel (between Tunisia and Sicily) connecting western basins to the Ionian and eastern Mediterranean; (3) Levant/Egypt approaches feeding the Suez Canal; plus dense ferry and Ro-Ro networks in the Adriatic and Aegean. Strategic chokepoints include the Strait of Gibraltar (Atlantic access), the Suez Canal approaches (global Europe-Asia route), the Turkish Straits system (Dardanelles-Sea of Marmara-Bosphorus linking to the Black Sea), and the Strait of Sicily/Malta Channel (central basin constriction). Major ports (cargo/containers/energy and passenger depending on location) include: Algeciras and Valencia (Spain), Barcelona (Spain), Marseille-Fos (France), Genoa and Trieste (Italy), Gioia Tauro (Italy), Piraeus (Greece), Izmir and Mersin (Türkiye), Haifa and Ashdod (Israel), Port Said/Alexandria/Damietta (Egypt), Tangier Med (Morocco, at the Mediterranean-Atlantic interface), and major transshipment and bunkering nodes around Malta (Marsaxlokk/Freeport). Cruise routes heavily overlap with these shipping corridors, raising congestion and emissions concerns near coastal urban areas.

Fishing

Commercial Fishing

Commercial fisheries operate throughout the basin, often multi-gear and multi-species, with notable activity in the Adriatic, Aegean, Alboran Sea, Gulf of Lion, Tyrrhenian, and around Tunisia-Libya shelves. Industrial and semi-industrial fleets use trawls (including demersal trawling where permitted), purse seines for small pelagics, longlines for tuna and swordfish, and nets/traps for coastal species. Key pressures include overfishing in several subregions, bycatch (including protected species), habitat impacts from bottom-contact gears, and the need for coordinated management across many national EEZs and international waters pockets.

Artisanal Fishing

Artisanal and small-scale fishing is culturally and economically significant across Mediterranean coasts and islands (e.g., Greek islands, Italian and Spanish coasts, Maghreb, Levant). It commonly uses small vessels, set nets, hook-and-line, pots/traps, and seasonal targeting of local species; it supports local markets, gastronomy, and community identity. Traditional practices persist in places (e.g., tuna traps/tonnara heritage in parts of Italy/Spain, lagoon fisheries, and small-scale octopus and shellfish fisheries), though they face competition, rising costs, coastal development, and climate-driven shifts in species composition.

Major Species
European anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus) European pilchard/sardine (Sardina pilchardus) Atlantic bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus) Swordfish (Xiphias gladius) European hake (Merluccius merluccius) Red mullet (Mullus barbatus) Common octopus (Octopus vulgaris) European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) Gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) Deep-water rose shrimp (Parapenaeus longirostris) Norway lobster (Nephrops norvegicus) Mussels and other bivalves (regional aquaculture and wild harvest)

Diving

Diving conditions vary by sub-basin but commonly feature clear water (often excellent visibility), generally mild-to-moderate currents with localized strong flows near straits and headlands, and strong seasonality in temperature (cooler in winter/spring; warm in late summer). The Mediterranean's relatively low nutrient levels often support high visibility but can mean less dense fish biomass than some tropical systems; nonetheless, endemic biodiversity, seagrass meadows, caves, and historic wrecks are major draws. Hazards can include boat traffic in busy corridors, sudden winds (e.g., Mistral, Bora), and thermoclines at depth. Many sites are within or near MPAs with rules on access and anchoring.

  • Malta: Blue Hole (Gozo), WWII wrecks, caves
  • France: Port-Cros National Park (seagrass, protected reefs)
  • Italy: Ustica Marine Protected Area; Tremiti Islands; Sicily coastal sites
  • Spain: Medes Islands (Catalonia) marine reserve
  • Croatia: Vis and Kornati archipelagos (reefs, walls, wrecks nearby)
  • Greece: Zakynthos and other Ionian sites; select Aegean wreck/cave dives
  • Cyprus: Zenobia wreck (Larnaca)
  • Türkiye: KaÅŸ region (walls, canyons, wrecks); Gallipoli wreck areas (regulated)
  • Israel: Caesarea and Atlit areas (archaeology-focused, limited/regulated)
  • Egypt (Mediterranean): Alexandria/Abu Qir Bay underwater archaeology (access varies)

Tourism

Tourism is a dominant coastal industry, centered on beaches, sailing/yachting, island-hopping, cultural heritage, and cuisine. High-intensity destinations include the Balearics, Costa Brava and Costa del Sol (Spain, Mediterranean-facing segments), French Riviera (Côte d'Azur), Italian Riviera/Amalfi Coast/Sicily/Sardinia, Adriatic resorts (Croatia, Montenegro), Greek islands (Cyclades, Dodecanese, Crete, Ionian), Malta, Cyprus, the Turkish Riviera (Antalya region) and Aegean coast, and North African resorts (Tunisia, parts of Morocco's Mediterranean coast, and selected areas in Egypt's Mediterranean). Cruise tourism is concentrated around Western Mediterranean circuits (Barcelona-Marseille-Genoa/La Spezia-Rome/Civitavecchia-Naples-Palermo) and Eastern Mediterranean circuits (Piraeus, Turkish Aegean ports, Cyprus, Israel, Egypt). Nature-based activities include marine protected area visits, whale/dolphin watching in select areas (e.g., Ligurian Sea sanctuary), coastal trekking, kayaking, and gastronomy tourism tied to fisheries and local products. Environmental issues linked to tourism include seasonal water demand, wastewater and plastic pollution, anchoring impacts on seagrass meadows (Posidonia oceanica), and coastal habitat loss.

Oil & Gas

Oil and gas activities occur in several Mediterranean areas, with offshore gas development being especially notable in parts of the eastern Mediterranean (Levant Basin), alongside production and infrastructure off North Africa (notably Libya and Egypt's Mediterranean margin) and legacy/limited production in parts of the central and western Mediterranean. The basin hosts extensive subsea pipelines, LNG and gas export infrastructure in some regions, and significant tanker traffic carrying crude and refined products through main corridors. Exploration and development are shaped by environmental concerns, seismic survey impacts, complex maritime boundary claims in portions of the eastern Mediterranean, and proximity to densely populated coasts and sensitive habitats.

Military Presence

The Mediterranean is a major strategic theater due to its chokepoints (Gibraltar, Suez approaches, Turkish Straits), proximity to the Middle East and North Africa, and dense commercial shipping. Multiple navies maintain regular patrols and bases/forward operating presence, including NATO members and regional states; activities include sea-lane security, deterrence, intelligence and surveillance, submarine operations, and maritime interdiction. The sea is also central to migration and search-and-rescue operations, counterterrorism and sanctions enforcement, and crisis response. Key strategic nodes include areas around Crete and the Aegean, Sicily and the central basin, the Levantine basin, and approaches to major straits and canal routes.

Bordering Cultures

The Mediterranean littoral spans a mosaic of coastal cultures and languages shaped by millennia of seaborne exchange. Northern shores include Iberian (Catalan/Valencian and broader Spanish coastal communities), Provençal and other French Mediterranean cultures, Italian coastal and island communities (Liguria, Campania, Sicily, Sardinia), Adriatic cultures (Venetian-influenced areas and diverse South Slavic coastal communities), Greek and Aegean island cultures, and Turkish coastal cultures. Southern and eastern shores include Amazigh (Berber) and Arab communities across Morocco-Algeria-Tunisia-Libya, Egyptian Mediterranean communities, Levantine Arab cultures (e.g., Palestinian, Lebanese, Syrian coastal communities where applicable), and Jewish/Israeli coastal communities. Distinct indigenous/coastal identities include Amazigh groups in North Africa, various islander communities (Balearic, Corsican, Sardinian, Sicilian, Maltese, Cypriot, Cretan), and historically significant seafaring traditions such as Phoenician heritage in the Levant, maritime republic legacies (Venice, Genoa), and Ottoman-era coastal networks. Foodways, boatbuilding, fishing methods, and port-city cosmopolitanism remain common cultural threads across the basin.

Did You Know?

Fun Facts

Superlatives

  • One of the world's largest semi-enclosed seas, bordered by three continents (Europe, Africa, and Asia).
  • Among the saltiest major seas on Earth (typically ~38-39 PSU at the surface), noticeably saltier than the open Atlantic.
  • A global hotspot for marine biodiversity and endemism: a significant share of Mediterranean marine species are found nowhere else.
  • An extreme "evaporation basin": evaporation usually exceeds rainfall + river input, making it a net exporter of salty water into the Atlantic.
  • Home to some of the deepest parts of the Mediterranean, including the Hellenic Trench/Calypso Deep area (>5,000 m).

Surprising Facts

  • Although it's connected to the Atlantic, the Mediterranean often behaves like a giant "concentration bowl": water tends to get saltier and denser as it circulates eastward and evaporates.
  • The flow through the Strait of Gibraltar is two-layered: fresher Atlantic water flows in at the surface while denser Mediterranean water flows out at depth-like a slow-motion conveyor belt.
  • The Mediterranean can be very nutrient-poor ("oligotrophic"), especially in the east, yet still supports rich coastal ecosystems and high species diversity.
  • Not all "clear blue water" is pristine: the Mediterranean's famed clarity often reflects low nutrients rather than low human impact.
  • Some Mediterranean deep waters can renew on decadal timescales, meaning the deep sea is not always as "static" as people assume.

Comparisons

  • If the Mediterranean were a bathtub, the Atlantic would be the faucet: most surface water enters at Gibraltar, then the basin "concentrates" it via evaporation before sending saltier water back out below.
  • Average salinity is roughly like adding several extra grams of salt per liter compared with much of the Atlantic-enough that frequent swimmers can sometimes feel the extra buoyancy.
  • The Strait of Gibraltar is narrow enough (tens of kilometers across) that a single gateway controls most exchange with the global ocean-unlike open ocean basins with multiple broad connections.
  • In many areas the seafloor drops from beach to deep basins relatively quickly, so deep-sea conditions can be geographically close to densely populated coasts.

Unusual Phenomena

  • Gibraltar internal waves: powerful internal tides form giant underwater waves that can propagate far into the Mediterranean, influencing mixing and marine life.
  • Dense-water formation "events": in certain winters, cold winds and evaporation can create very dense water that sinks and helps ventilate deep basins.
  • Medicanes (Mediterranean hurricanes): rare, compact storms that can resemble tropical cyclones, forming over warm waters under the right atmospheric setup.
  • Natural brine pools and hypersaline basins (in some deep regions): extremely salty, oxygen-poor pockets that can host specialized microbial communities.
  • Bioluminescence: on dark nights, plankton can create glowing wake effects in bays and nearshore waters.

Historical Facts

  • The Mediterranean was the original "superhighway" for ancient trade and navigation, linking Phoenician, Greek, Roman, and later Ottoman and European maritime networks.
  • A dramatic chapter in Earth history occurred here: the Messinian Salinity Crisis (~5-6 million years ago), when the basin became highly restricted and vast evaporite (salt) deposits formed.
  • The Strait of Gibraltar's exchange has long shaped regional climates and ecosystems; changes to it over geological time helped rewrite the Mediterranean's environmental story.
  • Centuries of seafaring left an underwater archive: shipwrecks from many eras are preserved in parts of the Mediterranean, sometimes aided by low-oxygen deep waters.

Cultural References

  • The Roman idea of the Mediterranean as "Our Sea": a defining geographic and cultural concept of empire and connectivity.
  • Myths and epics are set on its waters: Homer's Odyssey, the voyages of Aeneas, and countless legends tied to islands and straits.
  • Famous seafaring settings in literature and film often draw on Mediterranean ports and islands-from classic adventure tales to modern coastal dramas.
  • The Mediterranean diet and coastal lifeways (fishing villages, olive-and-citrus shores, island cultures) are globally recognized cultural touchstones closely tied to the sea.

Animals Found in the Mediterranean Sea

190 species documented in our encyclopedia

Albacore Tuna Amberjack Goose Anchovy Anglerfish Avocet Baleen Whale Dragonfish Barnacle Barracuda Basilosaurus Basking Shark Bass Bearded Fireworm Beluga Sturgeon Bird Blanket Octopus Blue Shark Blue Whale Bluefin Tuna Bluefish Sixgill shark Bonito Fish Box Jellyfish Bull Shark Catfish Chimaera Chiton Cockle Codfish Comb Jellyfish Common Angelshark Bottlenose Dolphin Cone Snail Conger Eel Coral Cormorant Crab Cuttlefish Damselfish Decorator Crab Diving Duck Dolphin Drum Fish Duck Eagle Ray Eagle Eel catfish Eel Egret Feather Star Fin Whale Flamingo Flounder Flying Fish Freshwater Eel Frilled Shark Frogfish Garden Eel Ghost Crab Goby Fish Great Egret Great Hammerhead Shark Great White Shark White Shark Grebe Grey Heron Grouper Fish Seagull Hammerhead Shark Hawk Hermit Crab Heron Herring Herring Gull Horse Mackerel Ibis Immortal Jellyfish Insects Jellyfish John Dory Killer Whale Killifish Kingfisher Kitefin Shark Krill Lamprey Lancetfish Leatherback Sea Turtle Leech Leptocephalus Limpet Lionfish Lizardfish Lizard Lobster Longfin Mako Shark Mahi Mahi (Dolphin Fish) Manta Ray Megalodon Merganser Whiting Sand Crab Mole Crab (Sand Flea) Mollusk Monkfish Moray Eel Mosasaurus Mullet Fish Needlefish No See Ums Nudibranch Oarfish Mola mola (Ocean Sunfish) Oceanic Whitetip Shark Octopus Oilfish Opah Osprey Ostracod Oyster Palaeophis Parrotfish Pelagornis Pelagornithidae Pelican Pipefish Plesiosaur Sandworm Pond Skater Porbeagle Shark Porcupinefish Man of War Jellyfish Prawn Pufferfish Pyrosome Fish Reef Shark Ruddy Turnstone Sand Dollar Sand Tiger Shark Sandpiper Sardines Scallops Scorpion Fish Sea Anemone Sea Eagle Sea Roach Sea Slug Sea Spider Sea Squirt Sea Trout Sea Urchin Seahorse Sea Bass Shark Shortfin Mako Shark Shrimp Skate Fish Skua Sleeper Shark Smooth Hammerhead Shark Snail Spanish Mackerel Sperm Whale Spider Spiny Dogfish Sponge Squid Squirrelfish Starfish Stargazer Fish Stingray Sturgeon Swan Swordfish Thornback Ray Thresher Shark Toadfish Triggerfish Seal Tuna Sea Turtle Turtles Vampire Squid Viperfish Whale Shark Whimbrel White-Tailed Eagle Wrasse

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