BIDDEFORD, Maine — It's peak shark season here in Maine, which means coastal waters are expected to have the highest concentration of sharks out of the whole year.
Beach communities have been preparing for this exact moment. Some lifeguards have been training on what to do if and when there’s a confirmed shark sighting.
"This year, we had a full shark day training that the city of Biddeford put on for us," Biddeford Pool Public Beach Head Lifeguard Owen Johnson said.
Johnson said they have a protocol to follow if there is a shark at the beach.
“All that happens is we close the beach for an hour until we’ve last seen the shark. So that just looks like putting up a red flag, lots of whistling, just getting people out of the water as quick as we can,” he told NEWS CENTER Maine.
So far, there haven't been any confirmed sightings anywhere in the state, according to the Maine Department of Marine Resources.
“The peak abundance [of sharks] is in July and August and into September,” John Mohan, an assistant professor of marine science at the University of New England, said.
He also provided a bit of context with regard to dangers and risk of encounters. Mohan said getting in your car and driving to a beach is more dangerous than swimming in the ocean.
Regardless, Mohan suggested swimmers avoid the water at dawn and dusk. They should also stay aware of their surroundings.
“If you see a lot of bait fish in the water or you see seals, that may indicate that there could be a predator or shark around,” he added.
On Wednesday, the Maine Department of Marine Resources urged people in the water to be “shark safe.”
Some tips it shared are staying close to shore, swimming, paddling, and surfing in groups, avoiding splashing, and avoiding shiny jewelry when in or on the water.