>>> Edmonton Theatre Community Honors Fringe Festival Founder Brian Paisley
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.
>>> Edmonton Fringe Theatre Festival Founder Brian Paisley Dies at 79
"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.
