Neil Hammerschlag
ON THE RECORD · 10 verbatim quotes · every quote source-verified
“Last year we identified 120 different great whites in 55 days,”
Neil Hammerschlag · said date not stated · reported 2026-10-03
Hammerschlag reports that his operation identified 120 different great whites in 55 days the previous year.
“Avoid areas that have preferred prey of sharks (such as seals), especially in areas with poor water visibility which could make it harder for a shark to distinguish between their natural prey and a human,”
Neil Hammerschlag · said date not stated · reported 2026-10-03
Hammerschlag advises avoiding areas with shark prey such as seals, especially where poor visibility could lead to mistaken identity.
“Probably 80% of them we only saw once and never again. That indicates to us that they're moving through.”
Neil Hammerschlag · said date not stated · reported 2026-10-03
Hammerschlag notes that about 80% of the sharks they identified were seen only once, indicating they were passing through.
“I think that's a that's exactly what's necessary – not to be fearful, but to be mindful… it has a lot of benefits, not only for human safety, but for just the understanding and conservation of sharks.”
Neil Hammerschlag · said date not stated · reported 2026-10-03
Hammerschlag says being mindful rather than fearful of sharks benefits both human safety and shark conservation.
“You know, I think they're a little more thoughtful when they enter the water.”
Neil Hammerschlag · said date not stated · reported 2026-10-03
Hammerschlag says Canadians seem more thoughtful about entering the water due to increased awareness of great white sharks.
“The individuals learn, they have memories, they have mental maps. They come here and explore and see the opportunity… they remember that and come back.”
Neil Hammerschlag · said date not stated · reported 2026-10-03
Hammerschlag explains that sharks have memories and mental maps that bring them back to productive feeding areas.
“I don't think the population is bigger. I think we're just seeing individuals visiting Atlantic Canada more than they used to.”
Neil Hammerschlag · said date not stated · reported 2026-10-03
Hammerschlag believes the shark population is not bigger but that individuals are visiting Atlantic Canada more frequently.
“Most people are not spending a long time in it, and certainly not going very deep… a great white can't get into water that's two feet deep, right?”
Neil Hammerschlag · said date not stated · reported 2026-10-03
Hammerschlag notes that most people don't spend long in Nova Scotia's cold waters and great whites cannot enter very shallow water.
“Nova Scotia has a lot of food options for them. It's a pretty healthy marine ecosystem with lots of big things that they can eat, seals and tunas,”
Neil Hammerschlag · said date not stated · reported 2026-10-03
Hammerschlag says Nova Scotia's healthy marine ecosystem provides abundant food options for great whites.
“I can definitely say last year was the most sharks we saw, and this year already we seem to be seeing the sharks even earlier than last year,”
Neil Hammerschlag · said date not stated · reported 2026-10-03
Hammerschlag tells the BBC that last year saw the most sharks and they are appearing earlier this year.