Multiple great white sharks have migrated into Atlantic Canada waters as part of their regular seasonal migration, according to tracking data from the nonprofit research organization OCEARCH on July 8, 2026.
A 10-foot-long juvenile female great white shark named Bella, weighing approximately 730 pounds, was tracked moving through the Gulf of St. Lawrence near Quebec's Magdalen Islands.
Another young female shark named Brookes, measuring 8 feet long and weighing over 450 pounds, was recorded entering the Bay of Fundy near the Maine-Canada border on July 4.
Signs of Recovery
The St. Lawrence Shark Observatory stated that the population of white sharks is showing signs of recovery after being heavily depleted from the 1960s to the early 1990s due to unregulated fishing.
Protective measures and a rebounding seal population, which serves as a vital food source, have contributed to increased shark sightings in the region.
"White sharks have been using Atlantic Canada waters for thousands of years — it is part of their natural geographic range," said John Tyminski, OCEARCH data scientist.
Tyminski noted that improved satellite tracking technology and public observations are making encounters more visible, signaling a positive ecological trend.
"We're now seeing signs of the white shark's recovery and, in general, a return to ocean abundance," Tyminski said.
He emphasized that the resurgence of these apex predators is necessary for maintaining healthy marine environments.
"This is a wonderful success story as apex predators like white sharks are vital to having healthy, balanced oceans," Tyminski said.
Biologists estimate that between 70 and 90 tagged white sharks pass through Mahone Bay, Nova Scotia, annually between June and November, with the total population in Atlantic Canada likely exceeding 2,000 sharks per year.
"White sharks are certainly present in the Gulf of St. Lawrence and have been tracked moving throughout the Gulf and over to the entrance area of the St Lawrence river, but I am not aware of any records of sharks actually in the river yet," said Nigel Hussey, associate professor of biology at the University of Windsor.
Hussey reassured the public regarding safety while highlighting that the animals remain major predators.
"People should not be concerned as white sharks do not wish to eat people," Hussey said.
He added that beachgoers should remain aware of their environment.
"But we do need to ensure people are aware that white sharks are present in our waters — this species is a large predator," Hussey said.
Historical data from the Canadian Shark Attack Registry shows that shark incidents remain exceedingly rare, with only 15 confirmed attacks and a single human fatality documented over the past 330 years.
"The sharks’ incredible ability to travel long distances allows them to navigate vast ocean spaces efficiently, moving between productive feeding grounds and warmer winter refuges," stated OCEARCH.
