A group of researchers at a newly established field station on an island near Nova Scotia’s South Shore is conducting a study on white sharks in the region. Led by Nigel Hussey, a professor at the University of Windsor, the team of graduate and undergraduate students is employing various tracking technologies to monitor the movements of white sharks. Last year, they tagged 16 white sharks and are set to embark on their 2026 tagging expedition this weekend.
The field station has introduced its own tracking system, allowing the public to follow the sharks tagged in 2025 and those that will be tagged in 2026. However, Hussey mentioned that Canada’s permitting process for working with these animals presents challenges. He emphasized the need for improved capacity to manage white sharks in Atlantic Canada.
The establishment of the Tancook Islands Marine Field Station stemmed from Hussey’s participation in a tagging expedition by Ocearch in Atlantic Canada in 2018. Initially skeptical about finding enough sharks, Hussey was proven wrong, leading to the idea of setting up a research base in Nova Scotia to study the sharks in the area.
One of the key objectives of the field station is to understand migration patterns, congregation areas, population size, and ecological impact of white sharks. By utilizing different tagging methods, including satellite tags, the team aims to gather comprehensive data on white shark movements. This data is expected to reveal preliminary insights into white shark hot spots in Atlantic Canada by the end of the summer.
Despite these advancements, Hussey highlighted the challenges posed by the permitting system, which requires special permits from Fisheries and Oceans Canada due to the endangered status of white sharks. Delays in permit approvals can disrupt the logistics of the research activities, hindering the establishment of a long-term monitoring program necessary for studying white sharks in Atlantic Canada.
The field station not only serves as a training ground for future scientists but also benefits the local community. With plans to expand by opening an education center for public learning, the station aims to contribute to the economic growth of the region in the long run.