White shark near Scarborough: Visitors in mortal danger!

White shark near Scarborough: Visitors in mortal danger!

A three to four meter long white shark was spotted on Monday near the coast of Scarborough, Maine, which promptly panicked for beach visitors. The sighting took place near popular beaches near Portland, where many tourists and locals enjoy the sun. In response to the sighting, the Scarborough police issued a warning and advises the bathers to exercise special caution and not to swim too far from the shore. Scarborough Beach and Pine Point Beach are among the most frequented beaches in the region, especially during the summer months when millions of Americans visit the coastal beaches.

experts report on a worrying increase in the presence of white sharks in the waters in front of Maine, which is probably due to the growth of the seal population. Over the past five years, over 50 shark sightings on the Maine coast have been documented, an alarming trend that influences the security situation on the beaches. The authorities raised the monitoring measures and work closely with marine researchers in order to better pursue the movements of the sharks and adapt safety protocols.

background and security measures

The warnings are reminiscent of a tragic incident from the summer of 2020, in which a 63-year-old woman died near Bailey Island while she swam with her daughter. This incident, which took place in about five meters deep, is not the only one. Statistically, the likelihood of a shark attack on a person is about 1 to 11.5 million, although there is still a risk of beaches with frequent sharks of sharks. Security guidelines, such as avoiding swimming at dusk and keeping a distance to fishing areas, were followed on many beaches to minimize the risk. Overall, the documentation of shark attacks on most US beaches has shown that such incidents are statistically rare, but there are still areas in which shark views occur more frequently.

In the 10 American beaches with the most common sharks of the sharks, there are, among others, New Smyrna Beach in Florida, known as the "Shark Attack Capital of the World", as well as Cape Cod in Massachusetts, where the sightings of large white sharks have increased dramatically. Special security measures were taken on these beaches, including monitoring operations by trained lifeguards and regular information about shark activities to the bathers to ensure security.

shark sightings worldwide

The trend of shark sightings is not only limited to the USA. In the Mediterranean, a popular holiday destination, there are also reports on shark sightings, especially in Spain and Italy. In May 2024, for example, a blue shark on the beach of Arenal d’ en Castell was sighted, which led to a short -term beach closure. Spain, especially the Balearic Islands and the coastal regions of Valencia and Alicante, represents a central point for such sightings. In August 2023, a man on the beach of Rabdells in Valencia was slightly injured by a blue shark, which underlines the need to exercise caution in European waters.

Despite these incidents, the risk of bathers remains low. Experts note that most shark types, such as the blue shark, largely avoid people and only attack in stressful situations. The likelihood of being attacked by a shark is around 1 to 4 million in the Mediterranean area. Nevertheless, swimmers are advised to stay calm and slowly withdraw from the water when they meet a shark. Local authorities should be informed in such cases to appreciate the situation.

sharks play an important role in the marine ecosystem by regulating the balance of marine populations. The increasing sea temperatures and overfishing forcing sharks to search for new hunting areas closer to the coasts of the popular holiday regions. This could influence the frequency of sightings in the future and requires proactive measures to ensure security for both humans and for these majestic creatures.