25 Aug 2025, 04:59
Increased sightings of white sharks in the waters of New England
- Increased monitoring of white sharks in the waters of New England.
- The population of seals contributes to the growing numbers of sharks.
- Encounters between sharks and humans are rare.
This is reported by NBC News, The Yomiuri Shimbun.
/ By: Associated Press
White sharks are increasingly being spotted in the waters of New England and Canada. This cyclical phenomenon has been documented in vacationers, fishermen, and marine biologists who spend time on the northeastern coast. Sightings of these predators, made famous by the film "Jaws," are increasing, especially in the state of Maine, where they were previously rarely seen.
Along with new data, the population of white sharks that feed on seals has been growing. For example, from 2020 to 2024, 93 individual white sharks were documented in the waters of Maine. In 2024, 19 sharks were registered in 47 individual incidents.
Recent studies indicate that the number of white sharks found in the waters off New Scotland has increased 2.5 times from 2018 to 2022. This suggests that sharks are spending more time in these waters, and their average duration of stay has increased from 48 to 70 days.
Despite the increased number of sightings, encounters with sharks remain rare. Since 1837, only two unprovoked shark attacks have been recorded in Maine, one of which was fatal in 2020. It is also believed that most species of sharks that live in the waters of Maine are safe for humans.
Increase in seal population influences shark numbers
The increase in the population of white sharks has been fueled by successful protection of seals, which provide them with food. Researchers note that this may be the reason why sharks are migrating more to the northeast.
White sharks are protected by law, and fishing for them has been banned in federal waters of the United States since 1997. State authorities have strengthened fishing regulations to protect these predators and reduce risks to humans.
Social media also contributes to the dissemination of information about shark sightings. Mobile applications have emerged that allow users to report shark encounters, helping to raise awareness about these marine creatures.
Tags: USA/Ecology