CUMBERLAND, Maine — Cumberland town officials issued a shark advisory for Broad Cove Reserve on Wednesday following reports of a shark near Cousins Island in Yarmouth. The advisory was lifted Thursday around 9:45 a.m., though officials still cautioned swimmers that Maine's "robust marine ecosystem includes sharks."
"Swimming and recreating at Broad Cove Reserve is at your own risk and should be done with strong situational awareness given the recent attack in Harpswell," Cumberland officials said. "Please avoid areas of congregating seals and schools of fish."
Out of an abundance of caution, officials were advising that residents do not enter the water at the reserve beyond ankle-deep on Wednesday.
Following the fatal shark attack off the coast of Bailey Island on Monday, the Maine Marine Patrol is continuing to patrol for sharks in southern Maine and is encouraging anyone who sees a shark to report it to a local Marine Patrol officer.
This information will be used by Marine Patrol, working with Massachusetts Department of Marine Fisheries Senior Scientist Gregory Skomal, Ph.D, to identify the species of shark sighted and will also be shared with the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (DACF) to determine any action associated with state beaches.
On Tuesday state officials implemented restrictions on nearby Popham Beach State Park and Reid State Park. Out of an abundance of caution, swimmers are urged to only go waist-deep in the water. Marine Patrol is urging caution for swimmers and other recreating in or on the water, including people in paddle craft. Specifically, Marine Patrol recommends avoiding schooling fish and seals, which are prey for great white sharks, the species responsible for Monday’s attack.
