Shark sightings surge along southern Maine coast as experts explain what's driving the spike

Shark Sightings Climb Along Southern Maine Coast as Researchers Urge Caution

Sharks, particularly juvenile white sharks, have been making frequent appearances in the shallow waters off southern Maine this summer, prompting local law enforcement to ask beachgoers to stay alert.

Reports of shark sightings began streaming into the Scarborough Police Department in early July, according to Daryen Granata, the town's harbor master and marine resource officer. Granata said multiple sharks were filmed near Pine Point Beach before gradually shifting toward Scarborough Beach State Park and Higgins Beach, where they have continued to surface daily for roughly three weeks.

The sightings have sparked concern among residents unaccustomed to sharing the water with large predators. Kelsey Donohue, a lifelong Scarborough resident, said the sheer number of encounters this year stands out. "There are definitely more sharks in Maine than I've ever seen in my entire life," she said. "Growing up here, we used to joke around about sharks, but we would be like, 'Oh, we live in Maine, so we never see sharks!'"

Betty MacLeod, another longtime resident, said the sightings near Pine Point are unprecedented in her experience. "This really is the first time that I've heard for Pine Point that we had a shark sighting," she said.

Why the increase? Researchers caution that more sightings do not necessarily mean dramatically more sharks. Several factors likely contribute to the perception of a surge.

Dr. Walt Golet, an assistant professor of marine sciences at the University of Maine, said the spike in reports is real, but interpreting the numbers requires nuance. "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."

Matt Davis, a marine resource scientist with the Maine Department of Marine Resources, echoed that view. "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. "We've had great weather this year for beach tourism, and we also have a number of people with drones actively looking for sharks, so sightings are high."

The proliferation of drones, cell phone cameras, and social media has fundamentally changed how sharks are documented. Granata, who has lived in Scarborough for more than three decades, noted that aerial technology has made detection easier than ever before. "We have all this drone technology. We have all the cell phone videos. We've got a lot of higher-grade technology than we did, you know, 10 or 15, 20 years ago," he said. "So we're seeing them."

Still, scientists say the underlying population of white sharks in the Gulf of Maine is likely growing, recovering slowly from decades of decline. Federal protections implemented in the 1990s have allowed the species to rebound, and a thriving seal population now provides a steady food source for the predators.

"It's very possible that the number of white sharks we see now is more reflective of their natural population size, or at least the closest it's been to the natural population size in several decades," Davis said. "Think of this as a population success story in that the ocean is regaining one of its apex predators to help balance the food chain."

Golet pointed to the life cycle of white sharks, which can take 25 to 30 years to reach maturity, to explain why the rebound is visible now. "If you protect the food and protect the predator, it makes sense that you see this rebound," he said. He also noted that abundant striped bass and Atlantic menhaden along the Maine coast are providing ample prey for juvenile white sharks, which appear to be present in unusually high numbers this year.

Researchers have also raised the possibility that warming ocean temperatures could keep sharks in the Gulf of Maine for longer stretches, potentially turning occasional sightings into a recurring feature of southern Maine summers.

Safety guidance from Scarborough police echoes recommendations issued by marine safety officials in other coastal communities. Swimmers are advised to avoid the water at dawn and dusk, when sharks tend to be more active, and to never swim alone. Murky water and depths beyond waist level should be avoided, and anyone with open wounds should stay on shore. Swimmers are also encouraged to remove jewelry before entering the water, as reflective items can attract sharks.

Granata urged beachgoers to remain mindful of their surroundings without panic. "Just be cognizant of what you're doing and where you are," he said. "Just have good situational awareness, that's all."

As drone footage and beachgoer videos continue to circulate on social media, researchers say the increased attention on sharks may itself drive more reports. Davis noted that the culture around shark-watching has shifted considerably. "Previously, people weren't looking for sharks with the same intensity or aerial equipment," he said.

For now, southern Maine's beaches remain open, and lifeguards and police are monitoring conditions closely. Scientists and town officials alike emphasize that the sightings, while striking, reflect a recovering ecosystem rather than a cause for alarm, though they warrant respect and caution from anyone venturing into the surf.