Bella, a juvenile great white shark weighing over 730 pounds, is currently spending her summer in the waters off Atlantic Canada. Tracked by the OCEARCH shark tracking website, Bella was observed moving through the Gulf of the St. Lawrence near Quebec’s Magdalen Islands on July 4. Her appearance off the Eastern Coast of Prince Edward Island on June 29 marked the first documented sighting of a great white shark in the Gulf of the St. Lawrence for the 2026 season, as reported by the St. Lawrence Shark Observatory.
Initially tagged last summer in Mahone Bay, N.S., Bella has traveled extensively over the past month. She journeyed from Cape Cod’s waters to the Gulf of Mexico for winter, then northwards through the Gulf of Maine, south shore of Nova Scotia, north of Prince Edward Island, and most recently, to the Gulf of St. Lawrence.
While the increase in white shark sightings may cause concern, experts emphasize that it is a normal occurrence. The St. Lawrence Shark Observatory highlighted that white sharks are regular seasonal visitors to the region and have been part of Atlantic Canada waters for thousands of years.
John Tyminski, OCEARCH’s data scientist, explained that white shark populations faced depletion due to unregulated fishing practices until protective measures were implemented. With the recovery of seal populations, a crucial food source for white sharks, and advancements in tracking technology, more sightings are being reported. Despite their presence, shark attacks are exceedingly rare in Canada, with only one confirmed shark-related human fatality in the past 330 years.
Researchers estimate that there are over 2,000 white sharks annually in Atlantic Canada, with warming ocean temperatures contributing to increased sightings. The presence of sharks like Bella in Canadian waters serves as a reminder of the importance of coexisting with these apex predators and understanding their natural behavior patterns.
The ongoing monitoring and tracking of white sharks in Atlantic Canada provide valuable insights into their movements and behaviors, aiding in conservation efforts and public awareness initiatives.
