Yes, sharks are indeed found in Canadian waters, inhabiting the vast and varied marine environments across the country’s three coastlines. These predatory fish represent a significant component of the marine ecosystem in the Atlantic, Pacific, and even parts of the Arctic. Their presence reflects the health of the cold-water food web, where they function as apex predators. Canada’s immense ocean territory supports a range of species, from small, bottom-dwelling types to large, migratory pelagic sharks.
Confirmed Species in Atlantic Canada
The Atlantic coast, including the waters off Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, and the Gulf of St. Lawrence, hosts several high-profile shark species, many of which undertake extensive seasonal migrations. The Great White Shark is increasingly tracked in these northern waters, with satellite data confirming that large individuals move into Canadian territory during the summer and fall months. Researchers have observed an increase in the presence and duration of stay, a trend tied to the availability of seal populations. Tracking has shown movements far north into the Gulf of St. Lawrence and off the Labrador Peninsula, demonstrating the species’ wide migratory range.
The Blue Shark is arguably the most common pelagic shark encountered across the North Atlantic, recognizable by its slender body and deep indigo coloration. These highly migratory sharks are often found further offshore in the open ocean, following warm currents and feeding primarily on small fish and squid. Blue Sharks can reach lengths exceeding three meters and are characterized by their long pectoral fins, which aid in sustained, long-distance movements.
Another species strongly associated with the region is the Porbeagle Shark, often affectionately called “Canada’s shark” due to the population spending a significant portion of its life cycle in Canadian waters. The Porbeagle is a stout, fast-swimming member of the mackerel shark family, reaching an average length of 1.5 to 2.5 meters in Atlantic Canada. This species is one of the few sharks that are endothermic, meaning they can maintain a body temperature higher than the surrounding water. This allows them to thrive in the cold, temperate environment. Its life history, characterized by late maturity and low reproductive rates, has made it vulnerable to overexploitation, leading to intense conservation focus.
Sharks of the Pacific Coast
The marine environment along the British Columbia coastline supports a distinct assemblage of species, including several that are adapted to deep-water habitats. The Salmon Shark is a notable resident of the North Pacific, often frequenting subarctic and temperate waters and sharing a similar appearance and physiology with the Great White Shark. Like the Porbeagle on the Atlantic side, the Salmon Shark is endothermic, enabling it to maintain high activity levels while hunting Pacific salmon, its primary prey. This adaptation allows the species to occupy a wide thermal range.
A unique deep-sea resident is the Bluntnose Sixgill Shark, easily distinguished by its six gill slits, a feature considered ancient among modern sharks. While adults typically inhabit deep waters down to 2,500 meters along the continental shelf, juveniles can sometimes be found in shallower bays and inlets, such as those in the Strait of Georgia. The Sixgill Shark is a generalist scavenger-predator, feeding on a wide variety of prey, including bony fish, other sharks, and marine mammals.
The Pacific Spiny Dogfish is the most abundant shark species in the world and is a common sight in the coastal waters of British Columbia. These are smaller sharks, typically measuring between 100 and 125 centimeters. They are notable for the venomous spines located at the front of each of their two dorsal fins, used as a defense mechanism. Spiny Dogfish are long-lived, with some individuals off British Columbia estimated to reach ages of up to 70 years. This life history trait makes their populations slow to recover from human pressures.
Safety and Regulatory Status
The risk of human-shark interaction in Canadian waters is extremely low, particularly concerning unprovoked incidents. Canada’s cold water temperatures and the typically offshore distribution of larger species mean that encounters are rare, with only a handful of authenticated, unprovoked incidents recorded over the past century. Most human activity takes place in shallow, nearshore areas where large migratory sharks are infrequent visitors. Sightings tend to occur during activities like commercial fishing or scientific research.
The legal protection for sharks in Canada is managed under various federal acts, most notably the Species at Risk Act (SARA), which provides a framework for conservation efforts. Several species are afforded protection through SARA or are the subject of targeted management plans due to population declines. For instance, the Basking Shark is listed under SARA, reflecting its historically decimated population on both the Atlantic and Pacific coasts.
Though the Porbeagle Shark was assessed as endangered by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada, the government opted instead for specific management measures through the Department of Fisheries and Oceans. These measures include strict quotas and closures of mating grounds, aimed at ensuring the species’ recovery.