Eleven Great White Sharks Spotted Off US East Coast Including Largest Ever Recorded

There has been a notable increase in great white shark sightings along the US East Coast and in Maine's coastal waters, with experts attributing this trend to recent tagging efforts and natural migration patterns rather than a sudden surge in shark populations. OCEARCH detected 11 great white sharks off the eastern seaboard in early August, including Contender, the largest great white ever recorded by the organization. Maine has seen a rise in sightings, with sharks, including an 8-9 foot great white, spotted near beaches prompting temporary water closures. The uptick in sightings aligns with sharks migrating northward during summer months toward cooler waters and abundant prey like seals, a behavior observed over many years. Despite the increase in encounters, shark attacks remain rare, though warming ocean temperatures and habitat changes may be causing these apex predators to expand their range. Conservation efforts such as the Shark Conservation Act and state protections aim to safeguard shark populations amid environmental changes.