No need for concern over shark sightings

Blue shark sightings close to beaches along the Mediterranean coast have been on the rise in recent weeks - but while swimmers should exercise caution, there is no need for concern, experts have said.

The phenomenon is not unusual, biologist and founder of shark research group Groupe phocéen d'étude des requins Nicolas Ziani said.

The fish normally live several kilometres out to sea, Mr Ziani told La Provence, but females head much closer to shore to give birth in protected bays and coves, which offer ideal conditions for their young - which measure between 40cm and 70cm at birth - to develop before heading out to deeper water.

Most of the sightings have been of young sharks that are still growing in 'nurseries'.

The farrowing period for blue sharks runs from the beginning of July to the middle of August.

Adult blue sharks can grow up to 3.8m long. Two females measuring more than 2m each were filmed recently off the île de Planier, near Marseille, while swimming was briefly banned off several popular Mediterranean coast beaches and around Corsica after sharks were seen close to the shore last month.