Even after summer days fade, beachgoers still flock to the shore, eager to enjoy the waves.
However, recent data suggests that those in the northeast might face an increased risk of shark encounters, as there’s been a rise in sightings of large white sharks.
Maine’s Oqunquit Fire Station (OFD) posted a Shark Advisory on Facebook last week, warning the public. They indicated that there had been reliable sightings of a substantial 6 to 8-foot white shark, roughly 200 yards offshore from a small beach near a river’s mouth.
To address this, officials will raise a yellow flag on August 19 as a warning for beach visitors and urge adherence to the posted safety recommendations.
A drone recently spotted a great white shark swimming in waters near Scarborough, Maine, adding to the concerns.
According to the Maine Department of Marine Resources, about 93 large sharks have been sighted in Maine since late August 2020.
“Sharks’ behavior is clearly changing.”
In July, the largest great white shark on record, measuring nearly 14 feet, was documented near Nantucket, Massachusetts, as noted in previous reports.
A marine ecology progress series paper released in May indicated that large white sharks are indeed becoming more prevalent in Nova Scotia’s waters.
Researchers attribute this increase to a general growth in the great white population between 2019 and 2021. They speculate that shifting habitat usage might be driving these animals north during the warmer months.
According to the International Shark Attack Files from the Florida Museum of Natural History, there were 47 unprovoked shark bites reported globally in 2024, with 28 occurring in the U.S.
Julie Andersen, founder of Shark Angels based in New York, noted that beach communities have observed a rise in shark numbers throughout the summer.
She emphasized that trends indicate a marked change in shark behavior, with increased sightings from California to Cape Cod, and even parts of Florida and Mexico.
With populations of white sharks rebounding—thanks in part to protective measures over the years—Andersen sees this as a positive sign for ocean health.
