PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • July 28, 2020
Monday’s fatal shark attack off Harpswell is the result of rebounding great white shark and seal populations along the Maine coast, experts say. The attack on Julie Dimperio Holowach, 63, was the first fatal shark attack in the state’s history. Seal populations have grown since a 1972 law barred killing of marine mammals and white shark numbers have been rebounding for two decades as a result of a rule that said fishermen could no longer kill them. Tobey Curtis, fishery management specialist at NOAA, said, “There is no reason to suspect warming waters would bring more white sharks to the region; they are already there.” There are simple steps to avoid being in proximity with great whites, starting by not swimming in areas where seals congregate or large schools of fish are present, and avoid wearing dark wet suits and shiny objects, such as jewelry.