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State Officials Urge Caution After Another Shark Sighted Off Maine Coast

Marine Patrol

Following a confirmed sighting of a great white shark Friday near the site of Monday’s fatal attack, along with two unconfirmed sightings along the coast Thursday, the Maine Department of Marine Resources (DMR) continues to urge people recreating in and around Maine coastal waters to use caution.

The DMR is advising swimmers, paddlers and others in or on the water to avoid schooling fish and seals, which are prey for sharks.

In a press release Fridau, the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, which has jurisdiction over state parks, updated its water activity restrictions at several coastal state parks with beaches. Visitors to Popham Beach State Park, Reid State Park, Ferry Beach State Park and Crescent Beach State Park can go in the water only up to their waists. Earlier in the week visitors to Popham and Reid could go in only up to their ankles and knees. The Department says all other coastal Maine State Parks are allowing regular water activity.

On Monday a 63-year-old woman from New York City was fatally attacked by a great white shark while swimming off of Bailey Island.

Ed is a Maine native who spent his early childhood in Livermore Falls before moving to Farmington. He graduated from Mount Blue High School in 1970 before going to the University of Maine at Orono where he received his BA in speech in 1974 with a broadcast concentration. It was during that time that he first became involved with public broadcasting. He served as an intern for what was then called MPBN TV and also did volunteer work for MPBN Radio.