10-Foot Great White Shark Spotted Near Popular Maine Beaches as Police Issue Warning

NEED TO KNOW

• Authorities in Scarborough, Maine informed the public that a possible great white shark, "estimated to be 10-12 feet in length," was spotted in the waters near popular beaches

• Drone footage obtained by a local fisherman was shared by police

• While they have been present in Maine for years, great white sharks were rarely seen in the local waters until more recently, with the first recorded fatal shark attack taking place only five years ago

Police are issuing a warning after multiple sightings of what appears to be a great white shark near popular beaches in Scarborough, Maine.

On Tuesday, Aug. 12, the Scarborough Police Department announced that the sightings had occurred near Higgins Beach, Crescent Beach State Park, Pine Point Beach and Richmond Island the day prior.

“Scarborough's Marine Resource Officer received a report of what appeared to be a large shark near Richmond Island and Scarborough Beach,” the release, shared for "public situational awareness," read.

Drone footage of shark was obtained by the marine resource officer on Tuesday.

The shark “is estimated to be 10-12 feet in length," and it was seen in the waters "off the southern end of Richmond Island in the vicinity of Higgins Beach and Scarborough Beach,” per the release.

“We are sharing this information to keep the community informed. As additional information becomes available, we will provide updates,” officers said.

The department shared the drone footage, which was captured at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 11 by David Lancaster from his watercraft.

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In the video, the shark can be seen swimming close to the surface of the waters.

“The shark was spotted again this morning in the area off Pine Point Beach. No photo or video has been obtained yet from this second sighting,” police wrote in the caption for the video.

Scarborough's marine resource officer also issued the same footage and statement to PEOPLE.

Commercial clam fisherman David Lancaster, who took the footage, spoke about his surprise at witnessing the animal.

“It was pretty crazy to see in the local waters. There are some really amazing creatures in the sea,” Lancaster told the Associated Press. “It’s in the back of your head, but you have to accept it.”

Great white sharks have long been present in the waters off Maine; however, they were rarely spotted until more recent years. The first recorded fatal shark attack in the state occurred in 2020 off Bailey Island.

Per AP, scientists have speculated that the presence of more seals in the waters has led to the sharks being seen more often.

Read the original article on People