A massive basking shark, up to 30 feet long, was spotted near New London Bay, P.E.I., marking a rare sighting not seen locally in decades.
Surprise at Sea Near French River, P.E.I.
A group of recreational fishers aboard a deep-sea charter in New London Bay, Prince Edward Island, were stunned when a rare, massive creature surfaced beside their boat on a recent summer day. The event unfolded just off the shores of French River, an area known for its scenic coastline, not for sightings of one of the world’s largest fish.
Unexpected Encounter With a Giant
As the boat cruised the calm waters, Don Gauthier and his companions captured video of what appeared to be an enormous fin slicing through the surface. In the footage, one passenger can be heard exclaiming, “Holy sugar! Look at the size of that thing.” Moments later, the creature—identified as a basking shark—revealed more of its size as it swam alongside the vessel.
Estimated Length Between 20 to 30 Feet
According to Gauthier, the shark was estimated to be between 20 and 30 feet long. The boat’s captain, a seasoned mariner, remarked that he hadn’t seen one of these gentle giants since the 1990s, highlighting the rarity of the event. Despite their size and ominous appearance, basking sharks are harmless to humans, feeding primarily on plankton.
Sightings Rare But Not Impossible
Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) confirmed the shark was likely a basking shark, the second largest fish in the world after the whale shark. They are recognizable by their conical snout, large gill slits, and massive mouths. While more common along the Pacific coast, occasional appearances in Atlantic waters do occur, though they remain uncommon near P.E.I..
A Gentle Giant Draws Awe, Not Alarm
Despite its size, the appearance of the basking shark prompted awe rather than fear. Gauthier said the shark lingered just long enough for everyone to get a good look before slipping silently back into the deep. “It was peaceful—just slowly gliding along beside us,” he recounted.
Why This Sighting Matters
Marine biologists note that such sightings are valuable, offering a chance to study the movement patterns of basking sharks, which remain poorly understood in Atlantic Canada. The DFO encourages anyone who spots such creatures to report sightings, which can help inform conservation efforts.
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