10-metre member of ‘mysterious’ shark species spotted off P.E.I.’s North Shore

A rare sighting of a basking shark, the world’s second-largest species of fish, off the North Shore of P.E.I. has captivated the attention of onlookers. Don Gauthier and his family were returning from a deep-sea fishing trip when they spotted the massive creature just about a kilometre and a half offshore near New London Bay and French River. The sighting occurred at around 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, leaving the group in awe of the majestic creature.

Gauthier’s partner first spotted a group of birds flying around a specific area, which led them to the discovery of the basking shark. Initially mistaken for small whales by the boat’s captain, Gauthier zoomed in with his phone and realized they were in the presence of a shark. As they cut the boat’s engines, the shark started approaching their vessel, moving in a mesmerizing side-to-side pattern.

Described as a “shark trying to be a whale” by Boris Worm, a professor in marine conservation and biology at Dalhousie University, basking sharks are known for their large size and slow movements. Gauthier estimated the shark they encountered to be between 20 and 30 feet long, a normal size for the species but can reach up to 12 meters. Despite their massive size, basking sharks are not known to cause harm to humans.

Worm emphasized the importance of reporting sightings of basking sharks, as they are still a mysterious species to the research community. Over the past 30 years, there have been only a few sightings off the Island’s North Shore in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, making each sighting valuable in understanding the species’ distribution and behavior.

Climate change could be a factor in the basking sharks’ presence in shallower waters, as changing conditions may affect their food sources. Similar shifts in feeding areas have already been observed in other marine species, such as the endangered North Atlantic right whale.

Gauthier shared his mixed feelings about the encounter, from initial concern to complete amazement. Being in the presence of such a magnificent creature gave him a new perspective on the importance of respecting and protecting marine life. He hopes that people can appreciate the beauty and significance of these creatures and take responsibility for their actions that impact the environment.

The basking shark sighting off the North Shore of P.E.I. serves as a reminder of the wonders of the natural world and the need to protect and preserve marine ecosystems for future generations.