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On July 13, 2014, seacoastonline, the web version of the York County Coast Star, published an article,  also posted by the Hampton Union and the Bangor Daily News, about the presence of sharks in Maine and New Hampshire waters.  James Sulikowski, Ph.D., associate professor in the Department of Marine Sciences, was interviewed for the article.

Sulikowski stated that types of sharks common in local waters include spiny dog fish, porbeagles, sand, tiger, and basking sharks.  While he noted that “Great white shark sightings are very rare here,” he suspects that “we will be seeing more of them in the coming years as they prey on seals, and the seal population is growing.”

According to Sulikowski, this prospect should not cause alarm.  He explained that sharks are migratory and do not spend a great deal of time in one particular area.  Moreover, he classifies their hunting strategy as “lazy,” as they are content with easy prey, such as dead, weak, or dying seals.

“Since the 1600s,” said Sulikowski reassuringly, “there has never been an unprovoked recorded shark attack in the state of Maine either close to shore or miles out to sea.”