A diving instructor who was training at Percé on Wednesday has been hospitalised after a great white shark bit him during a routine dive, according to the owner of the local diving centre. The victim, who is still in stable condition, suffered multiple lacerations to his upper body, prompting the centre to suspend all diving activities for the remainder of the season.
Incident Details
The attack occurred at the end of a 33‑minute dive, while the group was performing a three‑minute safety stop at a depth of five metres. Six divers were split into two teams: one led by an experienced divemaster guiding two trainees, the other comprised of a divemaster‑in‑training, an instructor and a Level One diver. As the instructor held the safety‑stop line with his student, the shark made contact with the trainee diver. The animal swam away within seconds, leaving the diver injured. The three members of that team immediately exited the water, boarded the centre’s boat, and administered first aid after the victim removed his own gear. The Coast Guard was called to coordinate the diver’s evacuation.
Emergency Response
Jean‑François Vézina, vice‑chair of Plongée Percé’s board of directors, said he spoke with the injured diver shortly before the statement was released. He described the injuries as “multiple lacerations” but declined to provide further medical specifics. The diver, who remained conscious throughout, was transported to hospital where he is currently in stable condition. The other three divers, unaware of the encounter, were guided to the safety of a nearby island’s rocks and later retrieved without incident.
Operational Impact
In the wake of the attack, Plongée Percé announced that all diving programmes would be halted for the rest of the season. The decision, communicated via the centre’s social‑media channels, reflects a precautionary approach to diver safety. Vézina emphasised that while sharks had been spotted in the area before, this was the first recorded encounter in Percé’s history. The centre’s statement also expressed condolences to the injured colleague and his family.
Community and Industry Reaction
The incident has sparked discussion among local businesses and maritime authorities about the balance between promoting Quebec’s coastal tourism and ensuring visitor safety. Regional councillors have called for a review of safety protocols at popular diving sites, while marine‑biology experts note that great whites are increasingly common along the Atlantic coast. The Quebec government’s tourism board has pledged to work with diving operators to develop enhanced risk‑management strategies, including better weather and wildlife monitoring.
Why it Matters
This attack highlights a growing challenge for Quebec’s burgeoning adventure‑tourism sector, where the allure of pristine waters and marine life must be weighed against real safety risks. The suspension of diving activities not only affects the centre’s revenue but also impacts local guides, equipment suppliers and the broader Gaspé Peninsula economy that relies on water‑based recreation. Moreover, the incident underscores the need for robust, science‑based safety measures and clear communication between operators and participants, ensuring that future encounters with marine predators are managed without jeopardising public confidence or the region’s environmental heritage.