In Percé, Quebec, a diver was hospitalized following an encounter with a great white shark in the Gaspé region. The incident took place before 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, as reported by the Canadian Coast Guard. The injured individual received immediate first aid on-site before being swiftly transported to the hospital for further assessment. Fortunately, their life is not at risk.
The victim was on the Yoda vessel, a Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary dive boat. The Canadian Coast Guard mentioned that the exact nature of the injuries sustained by the victim was not yet confirmed. Boat captain Kevin Dubé witnessed the emergency unfold, with a distress call alerting about the diver’s situation. The injured diver was brought to shore in a dinghy and promptly attended to by waiting ambulances.
Expressing gratitude on Facebook, Plongée Percé extended thanks to all involved in the rescue operation and announced the suspension of diving activities for the remainder of the season. This incident comes amidst a rise in sightings of great white sharks in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, off the coasts of the Gaspé Peninsula, and the Magdalen Islands during the summer months.
Notably, Ocearch, a global non-profit organization dedicated to shark research, is tracking four great white sharks named Webster, Ernst, Bella, and Nori in the region. These sharks’ movements are being monitored to aid scientific studies. Ocearch’s founder, Chris Fischer, highlighted the positive impact of the shark population’s resurgence on the local marine ecosystem, indicating a healthier ocean as a result of conservation efforts.
The presence of great white sharks in these waters is not unusual, as explained by marine biologist Caroline Miri from Fisheries and Oceans Canada. She emphasized the vital role sharks play in maintaining marine biodiversity and controlling fish populations. Ocearch has tagged approximately 115 sharks across the Atlantic, contributing to ongoing research efforts.
The surge in great white shark sightings in the Gulf of St. Lawrence can be attributed to improved documentation and the species’ recovery from its endangered status in Canadian waters, according to the St. Lawrence Shark Observatory. As these sharks are drawn by the seal population in the area, sightings have become more frequent.
Commenting on the incident, Sandra Gauthier from the Exploramer science museum acknowledged the inevitability of such encounters with the increasing shark population in the gulf. While she urged caution and respect for these wild animals, she noted that globally, shark attacks are rare, with fewer than a dozen incidents reported annually. The Canadian Shark Attack Registry has documented 15 confirmed shark-related incidents in Canada over a span of more than 330 years.