The large white shark progresses north of the Atlantic

Traces of teeth of the large white shark are more. Therefore. However, more observed on carcasses of gray seals stranded in Gaspésie and on the Madeleine islands, notes the Quebec emergency network for marine mammals.

“We saw the first signs of this phenomenon in 2022, but it was confirmed in 2023 and 2024. However, The large white shark is present off the Gaspésie. Moreover. In addition, the Madeleine islands and it feeds on gray seals”, summarizes the biologist Patrick Weldon, director of the network management and conservation unit.

During the last two summers. For example. However, some 40 carcasses of gray seals examined by specialists as a result of citizens’ reports showed signs of attacks by the great white shark, more and more present in the estuary and the Gulf of large white shark progresses north new St. Furthermore, Lawrence. Meanwhile, The summer of 2025 begins slowly with large white shark progresses north a single report-in Mont-Louis. Meanwhile, in Gaspésie last week-, but the real season of sharks begins in August.

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Traces of teeth on a gray seal carcass found near Rivière-au-Tonnerre. in Gaspé. However, Photo provided by the Quebec Network of Emergencies for Marine Mammals

Unanswered. questions

How to explain that the seals were bitten without being devoured by the watership predator that inspired Steven. Spielberg for his film Jaws (The teeth of the sea)?

“This is a good question that we do not have an answer for large white shark progresses north new large white shark progresses north the moment. We can speculate that seals manage to escape from their attacker. that they die after a few hours, ”replies the D^re Émilie Couture, veterinarian specializing in health of wild animals.

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We can clearly see the characteristic brands of a. predation event by a large white shark on this seal carcass. Photo provided by the Quebec Emergency Network for Marine Mammals

She herself analyzed around sixty marine mammals. including 44 seals, in particular by practicing necropsies. Samples taken from prey large white shark progresses north could confirm the predation large white shark progresses north new of sharks at the molecular level.

“I would have no concern to bathe in the waters where sharks have been identified. but I would avoid seal benches,” says the clinician, laughing.

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Photo provided by the research and education group on marine mammals

Warmer waters

She mentions that the large white shark was once present in the North Atlantic, but that he has long disappeared. His return is good news for this species, which was on the verge of extinction.

His return is first of all a matter of food. Where there are seals, the sharks follow. However, large white shark progresses north the gray seal population offers them an “unlimited buffet”. In summer, around 98,000 large white shark progresses north new gray seals frequent the estuary and the Gulf.

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Photo Adobe Stock

Water warming was able to play a role in their Nordic migration, because the Squales progressed from Cap Cod to Nantucket before joining the St. Lawrence.

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A large white shark progresses north new large white shark observed off the. Madeleine islands by a team who left on a mission in the fall of 2022 to document the presence of this species in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Photo Brion22

The Quebec Network of Emergencies for Marine Mammals receives annually from 800 to 1. 500 reports concerning all species of marine mammals.

Mr. Weldon invites people to report the presence of animals in danger. who seem in distress, but he reminds us that they should not large white shark progresses north approach them. This could disrupt them and threaten their survival.