Curious great white shark circles lobster boat off Cape Breton, chomps briefly on hull
A lobster fisherman from Cape Breton had a once-in-a-lifetime encounter this week when a massive 4.5-metre great white shark circled his boat just off Sight Point, N.S. Jimmy MacArthur, a seasoned fisherman who has been working in these waters since 1984, was shocked when the shark came dangerously close to his vessel, even briefly biting the hull.
The thrilling encounter took place on a Monday morning while MacArthur and his crew were fishing approximately three kilometres from Inverness in 18 metres of water. MacArthur recalled hearing a splash before spotting the distinctive dorsal fin of the shark, leading him to realize the magnitude of the situation. “I’m kind of a shark fan and I’m on the ocean my whole life and I never seen anything like I seen that day,” MacArthur said. “It was pretty good.”
The great white shark spent around four minutes investigating the boat, coming within an arm’s length and attempting to take a bite out of the back of the vessel. Warren Joyce, a shark expert with Fisheries and Oceans Canada, confirmed the species after analyzing video footage of the encounter. Joyce mentioned that the shark’s behavior of approaching and testing the boat with its mouth is typical of shark curiosity. He also noted a noticeable protrusion under the shark’s dorsal fin, speculating that it might be a healing wound.
The sighting occurred in the same general area where Canada’s first recorded great white shark attack happened in 2021, according to Joyce. Despite the rarity of such encounters, sightings of great white sharks have been increasing in recent years. MacArthur, who described the experience as “really exciting,” expressed that he never felt in danger due to the size of his boat ensuring the safety of himself and his crew.
Great white sharks are a protected species in Canada, making it illegal to touch or harm them. Joyce advised that individuals who spot these sharks should appreciate the view and exercise caution. He mentioned that the shark in question appeared to be untagged, prompting him to share the video with colleagues at the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy in Cape Cod for further identification.
For MacArthur, this encounter was a highlight of his fishing career. He humorously mentioned that his wife was supposed to accompany him that day but missed out on the excitement. Ultimately, the awe-inspiring experience served as a reminder of the wonders and mysteries of the ocean, leaving MacArthur with a story to remember for years to come.
