Bella, a juvenile great white shark weighing over 730 pounds, has been spotted in the waters off Atlantic Canada this summer. Tracked by the OCEARCH shark tracking website, Bella was first seen near Quebec’s Magdalen Islands on July 4, marking the first documented great white shark sighting in the Gulf of St. Lawrence for the 2026 season.
Initially tagged in Mahone Bay, N.S., Bella has traveled extensively, from the Gulf of Mexico in winter to her current location in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. While her presence may raise concerns, experts emphasize that white sharks like Bella are regular seasonal visitors to Atlantic Canada waters.
The recovery of white shark populations, coupled with the resurgence of seal populations, has contributed to the increased sightings of these apex predators. Improved tracking technology and public contributions through citizen science have also led to more frequent shark sightings in the region.
Nigel Hussey, an associate professor at the University of Windsor, estimates that there are likely over 2,000 white sharks in Atlantic Canada annually. Warming ocean temperatures further support the rise in shark sightings. Despite their presence, shark attacks in Canada are rare, with only one confirmed human death attributed to a shark in the past 330 years.
Recent sightings of white sharks in Atlantic Canada, including the discovery of a large male shark named Contender in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, highlight the ongoing presence of these predators in the region. Researchers continue to monitor and study white shark behavior to better understand their movements and interactions with the environment.
While encounters with great white sharks have occurred in various locations, experts advise caution and awareness when swimming in waters where these predators may be present. By staying informed and following safety guidelines, individuals can coexist with white sharks in Canadian waters.