Lifeguard attacked by great white

Greg Wilfert was yanked underwater while swimming off Scarborough, Maine in August. The 55-year veteran lifeguard first thought he'd hit a boat propeller.

Maine had a shark bonanza

A dozen great whites were spotted near Pine Point Beach in just two days in August. Beaches closed repeatedly throughout July and August after multiple sightings.

Conservation, not just climate

Experts say the surge isn't mainly about warming waters. Federal protections from the 1990s are likely paying off, plus better technology spots more sharks.

Protections came after Jaws

Great whites declined from overfishing and trophy hunting. In the 1990s, federal protections covered both the sharks and gray seals, their key prey.

Sharks take decades to mature

Males take 26 years to reach adulthood, females up to 33 years. That timeline matches when protections started and could explain why more are showing up now.

Great whites regulate body temperature

Unlike other sharks, great whites control their body temperature and handle wide temperature ranges. Very hot water can make them overheat, but they're good regulators.

“They're not so subject to these huge fluctuations, they're really good regulators”

Better tech means more sightings

More people hit beaches during hot days with iPhones and drones that capture marine life. The surge in sightings may just reflect better eyes on the ocean.

“There are more of them, but they are also easier to see, so you have to untangle that”