Great White Sharks Increasingly Spotted Off New England
SCARBOROUGH, Maine — Recent data reveals that great white sharks are spending more time in the cooler waters off New England and Canada’s Atlantic coast. This trend is causing boaters, beachgoers, and fishermen in the region to adapt to living alongside these formidable predators, which gained notoriety from the classic film “Jaws” released 50 years ago. Notably, sightings have surged in areas like Maine, where such encounters used to be rare.
Scientists attribute these increased sightings to a higher availability of seals, which are the sharks’ primary food source. They also reassure the public that beachgoers are generally safe from shark attacks.
Rising Shark Numbers in Maine
The Maine Department of Marine Resources has actively tracked great white shark activity in the Gulf of Maine since 2020. Their research aims to enhance understanding of these sharks’ distribution along the state’s coastline. In 2024 alone, the department recorded 19 unique great white sharks over 47 different days.
Rare Incidents of Shark Attacks
Since 1837, there have been only two confirmed unprovoked shark attacks in Maine waters. The first was a tragic incident in 2020, when a great white shark fatally attacked 63-year-old Julie Dimperio Holowach off Bailey Island. Experts note that fatal shark bites are extremely rare, both in Maine and globally.
Increased Sightings in Nova Scotia
The number of white sharks observed off Halifax, Nova Scotia, has grown approximately 2.5 times from 2018 to 2022, according to a recent study. Even further north, in the Cabot Strait between Nova Scotia and Newfoundland, shark sightings have nearly quadrupled.
Other Shark Species in Maine Waters
Alongside great whites, Maine’s waters are home to several other shark species, including basking sharks, porbeagles, blue sharks, sand tiger sharks, common threshers, shortfin makos, and spiny dogfish. Fortunately, most of these sharks pose minimal threats to humans, with many being harmless.
Historical Context of Shark Attacks
According to the International Shark Attack File, which keeps track of documented shark attacks since 1580, there have been a total of 949 incidents recorded. While great white sharks have the highest number of documented attacks, these numbers remain low overall. Specifically, there have been 351 unprovoked attacks attributed to great whites, with 59 resulting in fatalities.
As discussions around beach safety and wildlife management continue, it’s crucial to approach the topic with careful consideration of both human activity and marine ecosystems.
