Bella, a juvenile great white shark weighing over 730 pounds, is currently spending her summer in the waters off Atlantic Canada. Tracked on July 4, she was observed moving through the Gulf of the St. Lawrence near Quebec’s Magdalen Islands. Bella’s 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 in Mahone Bay, N.S., Bella traveled south to the Gulf of Mexico for winter after last summer’s tagging. In recent weeks, she has journeyed north from Cape Cod waters, through the Gulf of Maine, along Nova Scotia’s south shore, north of Prince Edward Island, and most recently, into the Gulf of St. Lawrence.
While the increase in white shark sightings may raise concerns, experts emphasize that it aligns with normal shark behavior. According to the St. Lawrence Shark Observatory, white sharks visiting the area are now considered regular seasonal visitors, as they have historically frequented Atlantic Canada waters for thousands of years.
John Tyminski, a data scientist at OCEARCH, highlighted the recovery of white shark populations in Atlantic Canada due to conservation efforts and the rebound of seal populations, a vital food source for white sharks. Improved satellite tracking technology and contributions from citizen scientists have further facilitated the increased sightings of white sharks.
Swimmer safety remains a priority, with advice to avoid murky waters, swim away from seals, and refrain from dawn and dusk swimming. Despite some rare shark incidents in Canada, the overall risk of shark attacks is minimal. Bella’s ongoing presence around the Magdalen Islands underscores the need for awareness that white sharks, as apex predators, play a crucial role in maintaining ocean ecosystems.
The exact number of white sharks in Atlantic Canada waters remains challenging to estimate, but ongoing research indicates a significant presence. With warming ocean temperatures contributing to more sightings, experts suggest a population of over 2,000 white sharks annually in the region.
Recent noteworthy white shark encounters in Atlantic Canada, including sightings and interactions with scuba divers and fishermen, emphasize the importance of coexisting with these marine predators. The documented movements of great white sharks like Contender and Kara in various Canadian regions further illustrate the diverse habitats these apex predators occupy in Canadian waters.