As Canada is surrounded by three different oceans – specifically the Arctic, the Atlantic, and the Pacific – there are quite a few unique shark species that call the Great North their home. They can be as small as the brown catshark to as large as the basking shark, the second-largest fish in the sea. Other species seen include the blue shark, the shortfin mako shark, the common thresher shark, the porbeagle shark, and the salmon shark.
List of the Different Types of Sharks in Canada
| Species | Maximum Size | Aggressiveness |
| Basking Shark | 23-30 feet | Not aggressive |
| Black Dogfish | 2.4-3.6 feet | Not aggressive |
| Blue Shark | 6-11 feet | Not aggressive |
| Bluntnose Sixgill Shark | 15-20 feet | Moderately aggressive (rarely targets humans, reports of just one provoked attack) |
| Brown Catshark | 1-2 feet | Not aggressive |
| Common Thresher Shark | 12-18 feet | Not aggressive |
| Deepwater Catshark | 1.7 -2 feet (adolescent; adults length is unknown) | Not aggressive |
| Greenland Shark | 7.9–14.1 feet | Not aggressive |
| Pacific Sleeper Shark | 12-15 feet | Not aggressive |
| Pacific Spiny Dogfish | 3.28-4.3 feet | Not aggressive |
| Porbeagle Shark | 6-12 feet | Not aggressive |
| Salmon Shark | 8-10 feet | Not aggressive |
| School Shark | 6-7 feet | Not aggressive |
| Shortfin Mako Shark | 6.5-9.5 feet | Highly aggressive |
| Spiny Dogfish | 2.5-3.5 feet | Not aggressive (due to their small size) |
Recent Cases of Shark Attacks in Canada >>
FAQs
1. Have there been shark attacks in Canada?
There have been a few recorded shark attacks in Canada, with the most recent in 2021. On the evening of 13th August 2021, 21-year-old Taylor Boudreau-Deveaux went swimming from a boat close to Margaree Island, Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia. She was bitten by what she believed to be a great white shark. The girl survived after surgery and a few stitches.
2. Are there great white sharks in Canada?
Though rare, great whites do swim around Canada.
3. Can bull sharks be found in Canada?
No, bull sharks cannot tolerate the colder Canadian waters, preferring a more tropical climate.
4. Can I go shark diving in Canada?
While shark diving in the wild is relatively uncommon, Ripley’s Aquarium in Toronto allows its visitors to interact with several sea creatures, including sharks, under supervision.
