SOUTHERN MAINE, Maine — Beachgoers along the southern Maine coast are seeing more than just waves and seabirds this summer, with white shark sightings reported with increasing frequency in several coastal areas.
Local law enforcement and marine officials are urging people to remain cautious after multiple sharks were spotted and captured on camera in recent weeks.
Researchers, however, say the rise in reported sightings needs some context. While there is no question that more sharks have been observed, a larger number of reports does not automatically prove that the shark population itself has suddenly surged.
Dr. Walt Golet, an assistant professor of marine sciences at the University of Maine, said the distinction is important when looking at this year’s numbers.
“I would say there’s no question that there’s been a lot more sightings this year. Does that translate into a higher number of sharks is a little bit of a nuanced question. There’s a lot of things to consider in there,” Golet said.
Good Beach Weather May Be Driving More Reports
Matt Davis, a marine resource scientist with the Maine Department of Marine Resources, said weather and beach activity can strongly influence the number of shark sightings reported.
“While sighting reports are very helpful, the number of sightings reported to us is often influenced by nice weather and the number of people at the beach,” Davis said.
This summer’s favorable beach conditions have brought more people to the coast, creating more opportunities for sharks to be spotted. At the same time, technology has changed how people watch the water.
Drones are now being used to actively search for sharks, while smartphones allow beachgoers to record and share sightings almost instantly.
“Previously, people weren’t looking for sharks with the same intensity or aerial equipment,” Davis said.
That means some of the apparent increase could reflect better detection rather than a dramatic change in the number of sharks.
Sharks Reported Daily Near Scarborough Beaches
Daryen Granata, harbor master and marine resource officer for Scarborough, said local authorities began receiving numerous shark reports in early July. Several of the sightings were captured on video, giving officials a clearer look at the animals in the water.
Granata said sharks initially spent substantial time around Pine Point Beach before appearing more frequently near Scarborough Beach State Park and Higgins Beach.
“They’ve kind of migrated now. They’re more off the Scarborough Beach State Park and Higgins Beach area at this point. We’re still seeing them on a daily basis,” Granata said.
According to Granata, the activity has continued for several weeks.
Having lived in Scarborough for more than 30 years, Granata said shark sightings have become much more common in recent years, particularly sightings involving juvenile sharks.
But once again, technology may be playing a major role in how noticeable that change appears.
More Sharks or Simply More Eyes on the Water?
Today’s beachgoers have access to tools that were not widely available a decade or two ago.
Granata pointed to drone footage, cellphone videos and social media as major reasons more shark encounters are being documented.
The Scarborough Police Department captures its own drone footage, while independent photographers and beach visitors are also recording sharks.
Those videos can then spread rapidly online, potentially making shark activity appear even more widespread. Still, researchers say there are genuine biological reasons why white sharks are present in Maine waters.
Growing Seal Population Provides Food for White Sharks
White shark populations have been slowly recovering for decades, following federal protections introduced in the 1990s.
At the same time, Maine’s seal population has grown, providing an important food source for white sharks. That combination has helped create conditions where sharks can thrive in the Gulf of Maine.
Researchers are also watching ocean temperatures closely. Warming waters could eventually allow sharks to remain in the Gulf of Maine for longer periods, potentially making regular sightings an increasingly familiar part of the summer coastline.
That does not mean every shark encounter is dangerous, but officials say swimmers should take sensible precautions.
Officials Issue Safety Advice for Maine Swimmers
People swimming in areas where sharks have been spotted are being encouraged to take several precautions.
Officials recommend avoiding the water around dawn and dusk, when sharks may be more active. Swimmers should also avoid entering murky water and should never swim alone.
Authorities recommend remaining in waist-deep water or shallower in areas where shark activity has been reported.
People with open wounds should stay out of the water because blood can potentially attract sharks. Officials also advise swimmers to remove jewelry before entering the water.
With shark sightings continuing along southern Maine’s coast, researchers say the best approach is awareness rather than panic. More sightings do not necessarily mean a sudden explosion in the shark population, but improved technology, favorable weather, recovering shark numbers and an abundant food supply are all contributing to the increased visibility of these predators.
Have you spotted a shark along the Maine coast this summer? Share your experience or thoughts in the comments below.
