Recent months have seen a surge in shark activity and renewed public concern about shark attacks and sightings along the U.S. coastline, particularly in the northeastern and southeastern states. In Maine, officials have reported a notable increase in great white shark sightings in the cold waters off New England, with new data from the Maine Department of Marine Resources showing that 19 different great whites have been detected in Maine’s waters over 47 different dates this year alone. This uptick in sightings has prompted authorities to issue warnings and install shark notification flags at beaches like Cedar Beach near Bailey Island, a location where the state’s only documented fatal shark attack occurred back in 2020. In that incident, a 63-year-old woman was fatally bitten by a great white while swimming just 30 to 40 feet offshore, and officials indicated she might have been mistaken for a seal due to her wetsuit. Although Maine has only confirmed two unprovoked shark attacks in its recorded history, the state is now placing a greater emphasis on monitoring shark activity and informing the public after drone footage revealed great white sharks close to popular swimming areas.
Farther south, Florida remains a hotspot for shark encounters, particularly in Volusia County. New Smyrna Beach, often referred to as the "shark bite capital of the world," has recorded 277 attacks from 1642 to 2024, with neighboring Daytona Beach seeing 67 in that same window. While most bites are not fatal, they regularly prompt local authorities to remind swimmers and surfers to remain vigilant and follow posted advisories regarding shark activity. The prevalence of attacks in Florida is attributed primarily to human behavior, since warmer weather and increased ocean recreational activities bring both people and sharks into more frequent contact.
Other notable developments this year include the movements of massive great white sharks along the East Coast. For instance, earlier in 2025, a male great white named Contender weighing over 1,650 pounds was tracked by OCEARCH after being tagged off Florida, later pinging near North Carolina’s Outer Banks. The presence of these huge sharks is part of a larger migratory pattern, further emphasized by increased seal populations in the north, which are a major food source for great whites.
Globally, places like Nova Scotia and Australia have also seen rising shark-related incidents. In Australia, debates continue over the use of shark nets and drumlines, which have been criticized as outdated and uneffective for swimmer safety, and blamed for harming marine life including whales and dolphins. The Queensland government, for instance, has announced increased investment in shark control measures such as nets, drone surveillance, and whale deterrent programs, despite mounting calls from activists for non-lethal technologies.
Researchers underline that while shark attacks are tragic and draw headlines, they remain statistically rare. Most shark species posing little to no threat to humans, and even in regions with frequent shark encounters, deaths are exceptional. In response to recent incidents, coastal states in the U.S. are investing in public education, enhanced drone monitoring, and improved notification systems to ensure beachgoers can make informed decisions and reduce unnecessary risks.
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