A Maine lifeguard was pulled underwater by a shark off Scarborough Beach on Saturday, emerging unharmed after a brief struggle. Greg Wilfert described the encounter as frightening after the shark grabbed his buoy and dragged him about 5 feet below the surface before he freed himself and swam to shore.
Lifeguard’s account of the encounter
Wilfert initially believed he was caught in a boat propeller before realizing a shark had latched onto his buoy. "I started swimming like hell," he said, adding that the experience was terrifying. "I'm not going to deny that."
Increased shark activity reported
Scarborough marine resources officer Daryen Granata confirmed at least a dozen sharks have been spotted near popular beaches in recent days—far more than the typical one or two sightings per season. Granata, who has worked the area for over 30 years, called the volume "larger than I've seen."
Experts attribute the rise in shark activity to conservation efforts that have boosted marine life populations. Chris Fischer, founder of the shark research nonprofit OCEARCH, noted that increased shark presence is part of a broader trend. "We're gonna see more of everything, including more sharks," Fischer said. He advised beachgoers to remain aware of their surroundings and avoid areas with unusual marine activity.
Rarity of shark encounters
Despite the uptick in sightings, unprovoked shark bites remain uncommon. The International Shark Attack File recorded 25 unprovoked bites worldwide in the previous year, underscoring the low statistical risk of such incidents.