There has been an increase in blue shark sightings in the Bay of Fundy this summer, although officials are not exactly sure why.
The Grand Manan Whale and Seabird Research Station said blue sharks are “typically rare or infrequent visitors” to our waters.
But in a Facebook post, the conservation organization said they have had more than 30 sightings in the last week alone.
“These beautiful, slender animals are deep blue on their dorsal surface, with white patches on their snouts, their pectoral fins, and on their ventral surfaces,” said the post.
“This ‘white’ underside is common to many marine animals and is called ‘countershading’ — it makes it harder to see them if you are looking up from underneath.”
According to the organization, blue sharks are seen in all oceans except polar waters, and they prefer water temperatures between 12°C and 20°C.
The sharks spend most of their time at depth in tropical waters but will venture closer to shore in temperate waters like ours.
The organization said it is unsure what has brought so many blue sharks to the Bay of Fundy this summer.
“It might be something attracting the sharks themselves, or they might be following one of their favourite meal items,” said the post.
“Whatever the reason, it is always fun to see these curious sharks gliding along and then rapidly turning away when they see the boat.”
Blue sharks eat squid, bony fishes, and, occasionally, sea birds, and are thought to have very acute senses of smell.
https://www.facebook.com/grandmananwhaleandseabird/videos/629942442089958
