Marine researchers know a little bit more about the male great white shark that mysteriously washed ashore near Pictou, N.S., last month. The cause of the 580-kilogram shark’s death was unknown. The Marine Animal Response Society (MARS) conducted a necropsy, then shared photographs with the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy, which was able to match the shark to one in their catalogue. “We know this shark,” reads a social media post from MARS on Friday. The researchers also found this wasn’t the first time the four-metre-long shark was seen in Nova Scotia’s waters. An Inverness fisherman captured the shark on video on June 23, 2025, a moment that made headlines. “The shape and notches of the dorsal fin, along with patterns of skin colouration, scarring, and unique features, can create a specific combination of characteristics that allows an individual shark to be recognized again,” reads the post. MARS says it’s still unsure why the animal died and the investigation is ongoing. “We now know something about where he had been before,” the group writes. “It’s a great example of how much more we can learn when researchers and response organizations share information across regions and borders.” For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page
