More than 300 great white sharks are estimated to be in eastern Canada between June and the end of October, according to marine biologist Nigel Hussey. This figure includes many sharks frequenting the Gulf of St. Lawrence, signaling that the population is recovering. Hussey notes that Greg Smorkal of the Massachusetts shark research program has tagged 300 sharks since 2010 as great whites returned to Cape Cod.
Hussey, a professor at the University of Windsor and founder of the Tancook Islands Marine Field Station in Nova Scotia, noted that 80 great whites were detected in Mahone Bay this year. He spends eight months annually on Big Tancook Island in Mahone Bay, located 70 km west of Halifax, where he believes nearly the entire Canadian Atlantic shark population passes. His own tracking efforts this season included tagging 19 sharks, an increase of three over the previous year.
Adapting to Apex Predators
Hussey argues that governments and citizens must learn to manage the presence of the predator to prevent such incidents from repeating, though he stresses that people should not panic. He specifically cites the September 16 attack on a diver in Percé as a reason why humans and authorities must adapt.
According to Hussey, great white sharks have no interest in humans because the caloric value is not suitable for their needs. He explains that attacks occur due to confusion, particularly in conditions of poor visibility, darkness, or murky water, where a shark may mistake a human for a seal. To illustrate this, he mentions a drone video from California in August showing a shark circling and passing under a swimmer who remained unaware of its presence.
To reduce risk, Hussey recommends:
- Avoiding the water during periods of poor visibility.
- Staying out of the water when seals are present.
Global Models for Cohabitation
Hussey suggests that Canadian provinces should provide positive education to the public and exercise judgment, citing international examples of successful cohabitation. He points to Australia, California, and South Africa as regions that manage shark presence through drone surveillance and public warnings without halting nautical activities.
Evidence of the sharks’ wide range in the region includes the movements of Brookes, a 2.7-meter female that nearly circled the Gaspé Peninsula this summer. Another shark, named Ozzy, was tagged with localization and recording devices on July 22, 2026, after visiting the Tancook Islands research vessel.
Research Infrastructure
The Tancook Islands Marine Field Station was established by Hussey and his partner, Anna, starting in 2022. The project was built with support from the local community and the University of Windsor. Hussey, who has authored more than 200 scientific publications, uses the site as a base for his marine science expertise. Recent activity at the station included the September 29, 2025, installation of a tag on the dorsal fin of a 3.71-meter great white shark.
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