Vancouver Island diver captures rare bluntnose sixgill shark encounter

Diver Carl Sorenson captured rare footage of a bluntnose sixgill shark during a dive near Parksville on Vancouver Island. Despite the shark approaching within five feet with its mouth open, Sorenson described the encounter as methodical and gentle rather than aggressive.

While bluntnose sixgill sharks are known to inhabit British Columbia waters, they are deep-water species. Seeing them at recreational diving depths is considered a rare event. Sorenson, an experienced diver with approximately 1,200 dives in the area, noted that the shark may have entered the shallower Madrona Diving Site to mate, give birth, or hunt octopus.