Photo courtesy of Matt Davis, Maine DMR
Maine DMR has unveiled a new resource for people on the water or on the shore to confirm if what they see is a white shark.
A form is now available online, that provides a convenient way to submit photos and a description of what you see to the Maine DMR science bureau.
Once your information has been received, a DMR scientist will review the information and any images you upload and will respond via email with information either confirming the species, or requesting additional information.
Please note that a response will not be immediate and may take several days to be returned. If you are concerned about your safety, please notify local authorities for guidance.
Sightings data gathered through this form will also be shared with the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy to be uploaded to their Sharktivity app. The app provides users with a recap of shark activity detected by acoustic receivers, in addition to shark sightings.Information and app downloads can be found at www.atlanticwhiteshark.org/sharktivity-app.
If You Venture Into the Water, Please Follow These "Shark-Smart" Safety Precautions
- If you choose to swim, surf, or paddle, be aware of your surroundings
- Stay close to shore
- Swim, paddle, and surf in groups
- Avoid areas where there are seals or schooling fish
- Avoid murky, or low visibility water
- Limit splashing
- Avoid swimming at dawn/dusk when lighting is low
- Adhere to all signage at beaches and follow lifeguard instructions
- Additional advice is available at www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/shark-attacks/reduce-risk/swimmers/
Also see the Species Info page for more general information for many species.