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A possible shark sighting at Queensland Beach prompted lifeguards to temporarily close the water to swimmers on Wednesday.
The beach was shut down for roughly two hours after a fin was spotted near shore. While officials couldn’t confirm whether it belonged to a shark, the move to evacuate the water was done as a precaution.
Shark researcher Dr. Neil Hammerschlag, who leads both the Shark Research Foundation and Atlantic Shark Expeditions, says there are other species in Nova Scotia waters that could have been mistaken for a shark.
“It could have been a shark,” Hammerschlag said in an interview. “It also could have been a mola mola, which has fins that often look very much like a shark fin, or a swordfish. They’ve been known to show up in St. Margaret’s Bay.”
He says while the risk of a shark bite in Nova Scotia is extremely low, the decision to clear swimmers from the water was the right one. “It’s always smart to be cautious. The shark was likely just passing through.”
Shark sightings are more common in later summer and early fall. “August, September, and October are when we usually see more shark activity here—when the water is warmest,” Hammerschlag said.
He offered basic tips for swimmers to stay safe, such as avoiding areas with large groups of seals, not wearing reflective jewelry, and staying clear of spots where people are actively fishing.
Most sharks, he says, tend to avoid people. “They’re curious, smart, and very misunderstood. People should enjoy Nova Scotia’s beaches without fear, but with awareness.”
Atlantic Shark Expeditions offers cage diving tours to safely view sharks off the province’s coast and help contribute to shark research. Hammerschlag says anyone ten and older can participate, with no diving experience required.
