The carcass of a basking shark Cetorhinus maximus washed ashore on the north shore of Sable Island, early April 1995. Shark remains are rarely found on the beach. In the last twenty years no more than ten specimens - mostly small individuals identified as mako and blue Prionace glauca sharks - have been found. About fifteen shark species have been recorded in Scotian Shelf waters. Some, such as spiny dogfish Squalus acanthias, porbeagle Lamna nasus and blue are common; others, such as oceanic whitetip Carcharhinus longimanus, are probably rare occurrences. The huge basking shark is a filter feeder and does not attack seals. 

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