Quick Take
- The sharks didn't show up randomly. Something specific drew a rare cluster of great whites to this one stretch of Maine coastline. Why Maine drew them →
- Seeing five to seven great whites in one small area over two days does cross a line, though not the line most people assume. What made this unusual →
- Maine's shark attack history is far shorter than you'd expect, yet one entry on that list changed everything for coastal communities. Maine's attack history →
It’s always startling news when it’s reported that sharks have been spotted nearby. It’s especially striking when the sharks are great whites. For the most part, Maine’s rocky coastline is associated with lighthouses and lobster boats. However, recent news has confirmed that sharks are also part of the scenery. We’ll tell you how many sharks have been seen, how dangerous the situation could be, and all the other information you need to know.
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Where Have Great Whites Been Found?
The recent cluster of sightings occurred along Pine Point Beach in Scarborough, Maine, just south of Portland.
According to the Scarborough Police Department, the first confirmed sightings occurred on August 4, when two juvenile great white sharks, estimated to be 6 to 8 feet long, were seen near:
- The southern tip of Prouts Neck
- The mouth of the Scarborough River
- Waters just offshore of Pine Point Beach
Officials have reported seeing up to seven additional sharks swimming and feeding in the waters near Pine Point Jetty. The photographer who captured the sharks in action, Karl Ramsdell, said simply that “they were everywhere.” This occurrence has been one of the largest concentrations of great whites documented near a Maine beach in recent history.
Is This Sighting Unusual?
Though the sight may be startling, it’s not entirely uncommon to see great whites around this area.
©Alessandro De Maddalena/Shutterstock.com
The sharks are likely gathering in that area due to an abundance of food, including large schools of baitfish and growing populations of harbor seals combined with favorable summer water temperatures.
Though not a sight you’d see every day, the discovery of the great whites isn’t completely out of the ordinary. At least the timing isn’t entirely unusual. Scientists say sightings generally occur from May through December, with activity peaking between July and September. That means early August is actually one of the most likely times of year to encounter great whites in Maine waters.
With that said, the number of sharks currently being spotted is a bit unusual. While individual sharks are seen most summers, observing five to seven in one relatively small area over two days is uncommon.
Have the Sharks Caused Any Problems?
Despite the exciting news and dramatic videos, there have not been any reports of aggressive behavior by the great whites toward swimmers, surfers, boaters, or people in general. Still, it’s not wise to intentionally go out near where the sharks have been sighted. If you must go to the beach, it’s wise to follow basic safety protocols, including:
- Stay close to shore.
- Avoid swimming alone.
- Listen to lifeguards.
- Leave the water immediately if a shark is spotted.
- Avoid swimming near schools of baitfish or seals.
With all of this in mind, although the sightings have made headlines, they are not a reason to panic. As long as people act responsibly, they should remain safe even if they visit the water.
Maine has recorded only two confirmed unprovoked shark attacks since 1837, including the state’s first fatal attack in 2020, when a great white killed swimmer Julie Dimperio Holowach near Bailey Island. Since then, coastal communities have improved public notification systems and encourage beachgoers to report shark sightings so authorities can quickly alert others in the area.
Maine Is Part of Their Habitat
Though information about great whites may cause some concern, it’s important to remember that the Gulf of Maine has always been part of the species’ natural range. These sightings don’t necessarily mean that the coast has become more dangerous. Beachgoers should remember that when we enter the ocean, we are entering the sharks’ habitat and should always be respectful of that fact.
