If you’re like me, you would rather explore the ocean depths than venture anywhere near the ocean surface.
I know this may come as a surprise to some people but, yes, sharks are actually in New Brunswick.
The good news: they’re not that common and they don’t typically come close to shore.
Are Sharks Really In New Brunswick?
Shark sightings are pretty rare here in NB, but there are still several species of shark that make their home in our waters.
These include:
- Bull Shark
- Nurse Shark
- Spiny Dogfish (also known as sharpnose sevengill shark)
- Atlantic Sharpnose Shark (a close relative of the sharpnose sevengill) )
- Tiger Shark. (The tiger shark is found in almost all coastal waters, usually in deeper waters or near-shore environments. Tiger sharks are particularly dangerous if they are in a feeding frenzy. Even if you’re a good swimmer, you should avoid coming near a school of these killers because they’re known to swarm victims with their giant mouths and sharp teeth.)
- Basking shark (the most common shark in New Brunswick)
So, how likely are you to encounter sharks in NB?
Chances are slim to none.
For example, there hasn’t been a reported shark attack on a New Brunswicker in the last 50 years.
However, it’s worth noting that a couple saw a great white near Saint Andrews recently. There was also a shark attack in Nova Scotia a few years ago.
What about Basking Sharks in New Brunswick?
While basking sharks are not considered to be dangerous, sightings of these gentle giants remain quite rare in our waters.
There’s no need to worry about these sharks if you’re planning on moving to New Brunswick.
The last confirmed sighting of a basking shark was in our province back in the summer of 2008. That’s according to Discovery Channel Canada’s Daily Planet, which said the shark was spotted off Tiverton.
An actual shark attack on a human being is even less common than a basking shark sighting. But…they have been known to happen here in New Brunswick.
Are Basking Sharks Dangerous?
No. Basking sharks are harmless to humans.
They don’t pose a threat to beachgoers in New Brunswick and remain outside the top ten species most likely to attack humans in North America.
So, the bottom line is this: if you’re a surfer in New Brunswick, you can relax knowing that your odds of being attacked by a shark are extremely low.
For example: they are even less likely to be found in New Brunswick than they are to be found in…Eureka Springs?
Are There Sharks in the Bay of Fundy?
Basking Sharks are one of the few types of shark that frequent the Bay of Fundy.
But these marine giants are gentle and pose no threat to humans. They aren’t normally aggressive and prefer warm waters.
So, it’s unlikely you would ever find them in New Brunswick waters.
Bottom line: We don’t encourage swimming near basking shark because their size may be intimidating or could even cause you to panic.
