Maine Lifeguard Escapes Shark Encounter After 12 Sightings Near Popular Beaches

Q: Why did a great white shark specifically target a veteran lifeguard's rescue buoy off the coast of Maine?

There is no confirmed evidence that the great white shark “specifically targeted” the veteran lifeguard himself. The most likely explanation, based on officials’ accounts and local reporting, is that the shark bit or grabbed the yellow rescue buoy, apparently mistaking it for prey. Greg Wilfert was swimming with a rescue torpedo buoy strapped to him when the shark latched onto the flotation device and pulled him 5 to 6 feet underwater. Local coverage quoted lifeguards as saying the shark likely saw the buoy as a large fish, and that going for the buoy instead of the swimmer may have prevented a worse outcome. Shark expert John Chisholm of the New England Aquarium reviewed the circumstances and said the reported behavior was consistent with other shark activity seen off Scarborough. The broader context also matters. Scarborough and nearby beaches had recorded an unusually high number of great white sightings, including juvenile sharks feeding in nearshore waters. Marine officials said prey availability — especially seals, baitfish and even stripers moving into the shallows — was likely drawing sharks close to shore. Experts also noted that white shark activity in New England typically rises in summer and often peaks in fall. So the best-supported answer is that the shark was likely reacting to a prey-like object in an area with heavy feeding activity, not deliberately singling out a lifeguard.

3 articles · Updated · CBS New York · Aug 11

Greg Wilfert said a shark grabbed his buoy off Scarborough Beach on Saturday and pulled him about 5 feet underwater before he broke free and reached shore unharmed.
At least a dozen sharks have been spotted near popular beaches in the area since last week, far above the one or two sightings officials usually see, Scarborough marine resources officer Daryen Granata said.
Experts linked the near-shore increase to rebounding marine life populations from conservation efforts, with OCEARCH's Chris Fischer urging swimmers to avoid areas showing heavy marine activity.
Shark encounters still remain rare overall: the International Shark Attack File recorded 25 unprovoked bites last year.