A summer of shark sightings in Maine

Authorities are advising beachgoers to exercise caution in the water after multiple white sharks have been observed on camera. Researchers have noted an increase in white shark sightings this year, which may be attributed to favorable beach weather and a rise in the number of people actively seeking to spot them.

In southern Maine, shark sightings have increased this summer, prompting local law enforcement to warn beach visitors. Several white sharks have been documented visually this season.

According to experts, the number of reported white shark sightings is on the rise, although this could reflect both improved weather conditions for beach activities and more people using drones to search for sharks.

“There’s definitely been an uptick in sightings this year. Whether that means there are more sharks is a slightly complicated question with various factors to consider,” shared Dr. Walt Golet, an assistant professor of marine sciences at the University of Maine.

Shark sightings have become more frequent at popular beaches, especially in areas that experienced a deadly shark attack five years prior.

Matt Davis, a marine resource scientist at the Maine Department of Marine Resources, explained, “Sightings can be influenced by good weather and the number of visitors at beaches. We’ve had excellent weather this year, plus many individuals with drones actively searching for sharks, resulting in higher sighting reports.”

Daryen Granata, the harbor master and marine resource officer in Scarborough, noted that the police started receiving many sighting reports in early July, many of which were captured on video.

“Sharks were spotted off Pine Point Beach for quite some time. Currently, they’re more documented near Scarborough Beach State Park and Higgins Beach. They’re still visible daily, even after three weeks,” Granata said.

Granata mentioned that, in recent years, people are encountering juvenile sharks more frequently. However, it remains uncertain whether this signifies an actual increase in the shark population in the Gulf of Maine.

With advancements in technology, such as drones and high-quality cell phone cameras, shark sightings are more common than in previous decades. Granata pointed out that both the police department and independent photographers capture drone footage of sharks, with social media amplifying reports of sightings.

“People didn’t actively look for sharks as intensely in the past or with such advanced aerial technology,” Davis commented.

Experts believe that white shark populations are slowly rebounding after federal protections were implemented in the 1990s. An increase in Maine’s seal population, a primary food source for white sharks, also contributes to this recovery.

“It’s likely that the current white shark numbers reflect a more natural population size than in decades,” Davis explained, calling it a positive update for ocean health as it regains its apex predators.

Researchers also noted that rising ocean temperatures could encourage sharks to stay longer in the Gulf of Maine, potentially leading to more frequent sightings along the coast.

“In my lifetime, I’ve seen more sharks in Maine than ever before,” said Kelsey Donohue, a lifelong Scarborough resident. “Growing up, we used to joke about how we never saw sharks in Maine!”

Betty MacLeod, another long-standing resident, remarked, “This is truly the first time I’ve heard of a shark sighting at Pine Point.”

The Scarborough Police Department continues to urge caution among those in the water.

Officials recommend that swimmers in shark-prone areas avoid swimming during dawn and dusk when sharks are more active. It’s also advisable to swim with others, stay in clearer, shallow waters, and refrain from swimming with any open wounds. Additionally, they suggest removing any jewelry before entering the water.

“Just be aware of your surroundings and what’s happening around you,” Granata advised. “Having good situational awareness is really key.”