Swimmers at Fox Point Beach near Hubbards, N.S., have had a close encounter with a great white shark for the second time in a week. Maria Maclean-Guy, a local engineering student at Dalhousie University, was snorkeling with her family on Monday when they spotted the shark. Despite limited water visibility, they cautiously moved towards the shore to exit the water safely.
This incident follows a previous encounter last week when two scuba divers also came face-to-face with a great white shark in the same area. Maclean-Guy highlighted the different experiences of encountering a shark while snorkeling near the surface compared to scuba diving deeper below.
The shark, estimated to be between 2.5 to three meters long, was identified as a juvenile by shark researcher Chris Harvey-Clark. He noted an increase in great white shark sightings in the region, indicating a potential emerging hotspot for these predators.
While shark attacks are rare, Harvey-Clark emphasized the importance of treating them as a serious threat and exercising caution when in the water. Maclean-Guy, despite the frightening encounter, chose to confront her fears by swimming again later that day with her family.
The community is urged to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions when in the water due to the potential danger posed by these apex predators.
