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 as she moved through the Gulf of the St. Lawrence near Quebec’s Magdalen Islands, Bella was first spotted off the Eastern Coast of Prince Edward Island on June 29, marking the beginning of the 2026 season for white sharks in the region, 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, making her way from Cape Cod’s waters to the Gulf of Mexico for winter and then northward through various Canadian regions, including the Gulf of Maine, Nova Scotia, and now the Gulf of St. Lawrence.
While the increase in white shark sightings may raise concerns, experts emphasize that it is a natural occurrence. The St. Lawrence Shark Observatory highlighted that Bella’s presence is not unusual but rather signifies the regular seasonal visits of white sharks to the area. OCEARCH’s data scientist, John Tyminski, emphasized that white sharks have historically inhabited Atlantic Canada waters and play a crucial role as apex predators in maintaining ocean ecosystems.
The recovery of white shark populations in the region can be attributed to protective measures implemented after years of overfishing. Additionally, the resurgence of seal populations, a primary food source for white sharks, has contributed to their return. Advanced satellite tracking technology and increased public awareness have also led to more frequent white shark sightings.
Although estimating the exact number of white sharks in Atlantic Canada remains challenging, researchers suggest that over 2,000 white sharks may pass through the region each year. Factors such as warming ocean temperatures have also influenced the rise in sightings. While white sharks are present in the Gulf of St. Lawrence and surrounding areas, incidents of shark attacks in Canadian waters are exceedingly rare.
Recent sightings of white sharks, including Bella and other tagged individuals like Contender in the Gulf of the St. Lawrence, underscore the ongoing presence of these apex predators along Canada’s coastlines. From encounters in Nova Scotia to findings in the Pacific waters near Vancouver Island, white shark sightings are becoming more common, reflecting the species’ natural range and behavior.