Shark photo sparks questions along Bay of Fundy

A photo of sharks in the Bay of Fundy has many Maritimers doing a double-take.

A man appears to be sitting on four dead sharks in the photo, which is getting a lot of buzz on social media and attention from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans.

Department officials tell CTV News the photo may have been taken several years ago and that they have been in contact with the man in the photo. However, they are still investigating how the sharks died.

They say the sharks in the photo are most likely porbeagles, which would be the largest species of shark found in the Bay of Fundy.

Research scientist Gergard Pohle says they like to swim in the bay’s deep waters.

“They used to be very abundant but nowadays they are actually considered endangered.”

Nicole Leavitt, a biologist with a company traditionally known for its whale-watching tours, says the current status of sharks in the Bay of Fundy has presented an opportunity for tourism, conservation and education.

“A lot of locals are walking by and seeing our advertisement and they’re surprised we have sharks in our area,” says Leavitt.

Some biologists are tagging the sharks, which provides insight on everything from their gender to migration.

“In order to have a healthy ocean, sharks are required for that,” says Leavitt. “They help clean up our oceans so people seem to be educated about harming these sharks, at least the people who are coming out with us.”

With files from CTV Atlantic's Nick Moore