A massive great white shark named Bella weighing over 730 pounds was spotted off Atlantic Canada during the summer. The 10-foot juvenile shark was tracked on July 4 as it moved through the Gulf of the St. Lawrence near Quebec’s Magdalen Islands. Bella’s appearance off the Eastern Coast of Prince Edward Island marked the first documented sighting of a great white shark in the Gulf of the St. Lawrence for the 2026 season, according to the St. Lawrence Shark Observatory.
Bella was initially tagged in Mahone Bay, N.S., and then journeyed south to the Gulf of Mexico for winter before heading northward over the past month through various Canadian waters. While some may feel uneasy about the increasing presence of great white sharks in Canadian waters, experts emphasize that this behavior is typical for the species and part of their natural range.
White shark populations in Atlantic Canada were severely reduced in the past due to unregulated fishing, but protective measures have aided in their recovery. The resurgence of seal populations, a key food source for white sharks, has also contributed to the species’ revival in the region. Improved tracking technologies and increased public reporting have led to more frequent sightings of white sharks in recent years.
Estimating the exact number of great white sharks in Atlantic Canada remains challenging, but researchers suggest that there are likely over 2,000 white sharks annually in the region. Climate change and warming ocean temperatures are factors influencing the increased sightings of these apex predators. While encounters with white sharks are rare and attacks even rarer in Canada, caution is advised when swimming, especially avoiding murky waters and seal-populated areas.
Noteworthy white shark sightings have occurred across Canada, including off the coast of Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and even as far west as Vancouver Island. These sightings, although startling, are considered typical for the species’ behavior. Researchers stress the importance of coexisting with these marine predators and understanding their significance in maintaining balanced ocean ecosystems.
