AI-assisted © ORS
All Rights Reserved
Canada's first independent
shark research group
and charity.
SINCE 2000. STILL 100% VOLUNTEER.
Halichoerus grypus
Grey seal
Carcharodon carcharias
White shark
ST. LAWRENCE
SHARK OBSERVATORY
AI-assisted © ORS
All Rights Reserved
Cyanea capillata
Lion's mane jellyfish
Neither can we.
Can you imagine the St. Lawrence without sharks?
SINCE 2000. STILL 100% VOLUNTEER.
© ORS | Jeffrey Hay Gallant
All Rights Reserved
HALIFAX, NOVA SCOTIA · 2000
FIRST CAGE DIVES IN CANADA
SINCE 2000. STILL 100% VOLUNTEER.
Not because it was easy.
Not because it was popular.
Because it mattered.
26 years in the field.
Sharks.
Science.
Conservation.
SINCE 2000. STILL 100% VOLUNTEER.
Halichoerus grypus
Grey seal
AI-assisted © ORS
All Rights Reserved
Neither can we.
SINCE 2000. STILL 100% VOLUNTEER.
Halichoerus grypus
Grey seal
AI-assisted © ORS
All Rights Reserved
Can you imagine the
St. Lawrence without sharks?
[INCIDENT VS. ATTACK] Although terms such as incident may suit some situations, we retain attack for rare cases in which a shark bite results in serious injury or death. In our view, clearer terminology better serves public awareness and prevention, while still recognising that not every shark encounter is predatory in nature. For further explanation, please refer to the CSAR.
MEDIA ENQUIRIES: The St. Lawrence Shark Observatory does not participate in media interviews. As an independent volunteer-run scientific organisation, we communicate with the media only through press releases, written statements, and background documents in order to ensure accuracy, context, and consistency. We do not comment on shark stories or incidents occurring outside Canada, on matters not directly related to our research in the St. Lawrence, or on traumatic incidents involving sharks.
[INCIDENT VS. ATTACK] Although terms such as incident may suit some situations, we retain attack for rare cases in which a shark bite results in serious injury or death. In our view, clearer terminology better serves public awareness and prevention, while still recognising that not every shark encounter is predatory in nature. For further explanation, please refer to the CSAR.
MEDIA ENQUIRIES: The St. Lawrence Shark Observatory does not participate in media interviews. As an independent volunteer-run scientific organisation, we communicate with the media only through press releases, written statements, and background documents in order to ensure accuracy, context, and consistency. We do not comment on shark stories or incidents occurring outside Canada, on matters not directly related to our research in the St. Lawrence, or on traumatic incidents involving sharks.
* Confirmed, plausible, unconfirmed, and discredited incidents in recorded history.
† Canadian Shark Attack Registry (06.2026)
500+
28+
11+
±100
±30
±24
±10
±4
±4
WORLDWIDE
IN CANADA
ST. LAWRENCE
SHARK SPECIES
SHARK SPECIES
SHARK SPECIES
WORLDWIDE/YEAR
IN CANADA*
ATLANTIC CANADA & QUÉBEC*
FATALITIES/YEAR
FATALITIES*
FATALITIES*
†
†
†
†
†
†
SHARK INCIDENTS
SHARK INCIDENTS
SHARK INCIDENTS
Gulf of
St. Lawrence
500+
SHARK SPECIES
WORLDWIDE
±100
SHARK INCIDENTS
WORLDWIDE/YEAR
±10
FATALITIES/YEAR
†
†
* Confirmed or suspected in recorded history as of 06/2026
† Canadian Shark Attack Registry
28+
SHARK SPECIES
IN CANADA
±30
SHARK INCIDENTS
IN CANADA*
±4
FATALITIES*
†
†
* Confirmed, plausible, unconfirmed, and
discredited incidents in recorded history.
† Canadian Shark Attack Registry (06.2026)
11+
SHARK SPECIES
ST. LAWRENCE
±24
SHARK INCIDENTS
ATLANTIC CANADA
& QUÉBEC*
±4
FATALITIES*
†
†
* Confirmed, plausible, unconfirmed, and
discredited incidents in recorded history.
† Canadian Shark Attack Registry (06.2026)
Gulf of
St. Lawrence
Stranded white shark near Kouchibouguac National Park, New Brunswick
AI-assisted © ORS |. All Rights Reserved
“Fear and apathy bite deeper
than any shark.”
Help protect the sharks
of the St. Lawrence.
— Jeffrey Hay Gallant, ORS
The St. Lawrence Shark Observatory is a registered charity:
Canada Revenue Agency #834462913RR0001
Stranded white shark near Kouchibouguac National Park, New Brunswick
AI-assisted © ORS |. All Rights Reserved
“Fear and apathy
bite deeper
than any shark.”
Help protect the sharks
of the St. Lawrence.
— Jeffrey Hay Gallant, ORS
The St. Lawrence Shark Observatory is a registered charity:
Canada Revenue Agency #834462913RR0001
CSAR
OSF
PUBLICATIONS
© 2026 St. Lawrence Shark Observatory. All Rights Reserved.
CSAR
OSF
PUBLICATIONS
© 2026 St. Lawrence Shark Observatory
All Rights Reserved