Shark Sighting Video Off Mersin Sparks Panic, Vacationers Cancel Boat Tours

A viral social media video showing eight sharks caught off the coast of Silifke, Mersin, has stirred panic among tourists and led to a wave of canceled boat tour reservations. While local tour operators and fishermen insist the sharks were found far offshore and pose no danger to swimmers, the footage has cast a shadow over Mersin’s summer tourism season.

Video Triggers Tourist Concern and Booking Cancellations

The footage, believed to have been filmed off Taşucu, went viral after a local fishing crew shared it online. Although the sharks were captured at sea depths of 500 to 1,000 meters, and 8 to 30 nautical miles from shore, tourists misunderstood the video’s context.

Businesses involved in yacht tourism and coastal accommodations reported a surge in reservation cancellations, citing misplaced fears over shark activity near the shore.

“People think sharks are swimming near beaches, but that’s completely inaccurate,” said local tour operator Hamza Ogur. “We normally have packed tours on weekends, but now the boats are idle.”

Local Tourism Suffers as Social Media Fuels Misinformation

Despite the deep-sea origins of the footage, false interpretations on social media platforms caused widespread public anxiety, particularly among tourists unfamiliar with the area’s geography.

Tourism operator Ümit Arı confirmed multiple cancellations, stating that panic-driven posts have caused economic losses just as the summer season was set to begin.

Fishermen Assure the Public: “No Sharks Near the Shore”

Mustafa Özcan, head of the Taşucu Angling Cooperative, emphasized that these sharks inhabit deep and open waters and are not seen along the coast:

“There’s no threat to swimmers or beachgoers. The sea here is clean, safe, and calm. But disinformation has harmed local tourism businesses.”

Captain Who Filmed the Video Speaks Out

The video’s creator, fisherman Captain Serkan Yetkin, clarified that the video was taken during a deep-sea trolling expedition in international waters and was never intended to cause alarm:

“It was just a light-hearted moment between us that got misinterpreted. These sharks live in cold, deep waters—they do not approach the shore.”

“Tour boats typically go no deeper than 15–20 meters,” he added. “The video was filmed at least 500 meters deep, far beyond where tourists swim.”

Summary

The misunderstanding over shark footage off Mersin’s coast highlights how social media amplification can affect local economies. While experts and fishermen stress there is no danger near the coast, the damage to Taşucu’s tourism sector has already begun. Locals now call for clearer communication and public reassurance as they work to rebuild trust.