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“compiled: Elmili TK”
NEW LONDON BAY, P.E.I. — A group of deep-sea fishers got the surprise of a lifetime this week when a massive, rarely seen basking shark surfaced beside their boat near French River, Prince Edward Island.
Don Gauthier, one of the passengers aboard the fishing charter, captured the encounter on video as the shark glided past. “Holy sugar,” a stunned voice can be heard exclaiming. “Look at the size of that thing.”
Moments later, a towering fin cut through the water’s surface, revealing the unmistakable profile of one of the ocean’s most colossal inhabitants.
Gauthier estimated the basking shark was between 20 and 30 feet long — roughly the size of a school bus. The charter captain, equally astonished, told the group it was the first basking shark he’d seen in the area since the 1990s.
Rare Encounter With a Gentle Giant
Basking sharks are the second-largest fish species in the world, second only to whale sharks, according to Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO). Recognizable by their wide mouths, cone-shaped snouts, and large gill slits, these filter-feeding giants are harmless to humans despite their intimidating size.
While historically more common off the coast of British Columbia, sightings in Atlantic waters — especially near P.E.I. — remain rare and remarkable.
The slow-moving shark lingered near the boat long enough for everyone on board to get a good look, creating an unforgettable moment for the group.
“This was a once-in-a-generation sighting,” Gauthier said.
As climate patterns shift and marine activity changes, experts believe these rare sightings may become more frequent — but for now, the appearance of such a creature remains a thrilling anomaly in the waters off Canada’s East Coast.
