There's Something in the Water!

A familiar face appears in Nova Scotia

Pumpkin has been found in Nova Scotia's very own Minas Basin. When you hear that name, you are probably thinking it's some domestic animal that got loose. However, what if I told you Pumpkin was a great white shark? Well, Pumpkin IS a great white shark, and she isn't the first to come into the Minas Basin. Pumpkin, a female, is relatively small for a great white. She weighs a mere 300 kilograms and only measures 2.7 metres. Don't be alarmed, however, this shark is probably here to feed on seals and dead whale carcass. Gross, yes, but better than attacking humans! Great white sharks are listed as endangered species by the Canadian Species At Risk Act. Nevertheless, great whites do appear in this area quite frequently due to the high populations of seals and whales.

No risk

According the biologists who have been tracking Pumpkin for some time, the risk to swimmers is low. Greg Skomal, the prominent marine biologist who has been tracking Pumpkin, says "The phenomenon of sharks going to Canada is not new. They've been going there likely for hundreds of thousands of years, so if there was any threat from these animals on humans, you would have seen some attacks."

The importance of working with fishermen

To fully protect these animals, marine biologists must work with local fisherman who have lived and are familiar with the waters that surround them. Skomal even says himself that it is important to work with fisherman, stating that, "Collaborating with fishermen is critical, as far as I'm concerned," he said. "These are folks that are on the water, all the time. They know the water, they know what lives in the water and not to tap into their experience would be ridiculous." So, if you live near the Minas Basin, don't be alarmed, just be cautious and know your surroundings and maybe limit your time in the water and you should be fine!