Sharks in Toronto: Are They Really a Threat? A Parent's Perspective

Living in Toronto with my two kids, I often find myself explaining the concept of sharks to them. While they love watching documentaries about the ocean, they have a healthy dose of fear from the movies like *Jaws*. But in reality, sharks in Canadian waters, including those in and around Toronto, are much less of a concern than Hollywood would have you believe.

According to the Canadian Shark Attack Registry, there have only been 31 reported shark attacks in Canada over the past 330 years, with only one fatal incident. While this is a small number, it’s still worth knowing what to do if you or your children are ever in the water and notice something unusual.

The most common type of shark spotted in Canadian waters is the basking shark. These gentle giants are more interested in plankton than people. However, great white sharks have been increasingly sighted in Atlantic Canadian waters, including near Toronto. If you spot a shark, the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative advises checking the tail: vertical tails are sharks, while horizontal tails indicate a dolphin or whale.