A new research facility on an island near Nova Scotia’s South Shore is conducting a study on white sharks in the area. Located at the Tancook Islands Marine Field Station on Big Tancook Island, a team of around twelve graduate and undergraduate students, under the leadership of Nigel Hussey, a professor at the University of Windsor, is utilizing various tracking technologies to monitor the movement of white sharks. In their inaugural year of operations, the team tagged 16 white sharks along the Nova Scotia coast, with plans to launch the 2026 tagging expedition this weekend.
The field station has introduced its own tracking system, allowing the public to monitor the tagged sharks from 2025 and upcoming sharks from 2026. However, the complexities of Canada’s permitting system for working with these animals are hindering their research progress, according to the station’s founder. Hussey emphasized the need for streamlined processes to handle white sharks effectively in Atlantic Canada.
The idea for the Tancook Islands Marine Field Station stemmed from Hussey’s participation in a tagging expedition with Ocearch in Atlantic Canada back in 2018. Initially skeptical about the abundance of white sharks in the region due to historical rarity, Hussey’s perspective changed when they discovered a significant presence of these sharks. This discovery prompted the establishment of a research base in Nova Scotia to study the sharks while they are present in the area.
The primary focus of the field station is to address key unknowns regarding white sharks, such as migration patterns, congregation areas, population estimates, and ecological impacts. Through the use of various tagging methods, including satellite tags, the station aims to gain valuable insights into white shark movements. The recent deployment of a new satellite system has started to enhance their understanding, with expectations to identify white shark hot spots in Atlantic Canada by the summer’s end.
Despite the progress, Hussey highlighted challenges posed by the permitting system, particularly the need for special permits due to white sharks being federally classified as endangered. The annual permit application process, including delays in receiving permits for the 2026 expedition, adds logistical complications to their research efforts. Hussey also raised concerns about the blanket nature of permits, which do not account for the diverse activities involving white sharks, such as commercial cage diving and scientific research.
In response to these challenges, a Fisheries and Oceans Canada spokesperson stated that permit applications are assessed on a case-by-case basis, with decisions typically made within 90 days. The department aims to provide clear and consistent guidelines for conducting white shark research activities based on the best available information and a precautionary approach.
The Tancook Islands Marine Field Station’s presence has been beneficial to the local community, fostering scientific learning and engagement. Collaborations with individuals like David Baker, a lobster fisherman and Tancook resident, have contributed to setting up acoustic receivers along the coast for research purposes. Baker expressed gratitude for the station’s impact on the community and the local fishing industry. Looking ahead, the station plans to expand its facilities to include an educational center for public learning about sharks, potentially contributing to the island’s economic growth.
As the station awaits the necessary permits to continue its vital research, Hussey remains hopeful that the benefits of the facility will extend beyond scientific endeavors, shaping a positive future for the island community.