More Seals off US Northeast Means Learning to Live with Sharks

Wildlife experts say a healthy seal population along the Northeast coast of the United States will likely lead to more shark attacks on humans.

Seals are top targets for large sharks such as the great white. The seals are currently¹ doing well in areas of the Northeast thanks to years of protective efforts.

But in recent years, there have been more attacks on humans. Experts say the sharks mistook people for seals.

The latest attack happened on July 27, off the coast of Maine, when a woman swimmer was killed by a great white shark. It was the first recorded deadly shark attack in the state's history. The attack on 63-year-old Julie Dimperio Holowach happened off Harpswell, Maine, about 9 to 12 meters from land.

Swimmers in New England states have learned to be more careful in recent years as more great whites have been seen along coastal² areas.

A 2018 attack that killed a man in Cape³ Cod⁴, Massachusetts, was also believed to be a great white shark. It was the first deadly shark attack to happen in Massachusetts in more than 80 years.

The deadly creatures are not "mad or angry or preferring human flesh," said Greg Skomal, a shark specialist with the Massachusetts Division of Marine⁵ Fisheries. Instead, Skomal told The Associated Press, "They just occasionally make a mistake. And it's tragic⁶ when they do."

Incidents of shark bites remain extremely rare, especially in Northeastern waters. The International Shark Attack File at the University of Florida lists only 10 unprovoked shark attacks off New England, records dating back to 1837 show. The majority of documented shark attacks in the U.S. happen off Florida.

Internationally, warm weather countries such as South Africa and Australia have higher totals. But shark bites are rare in those places, too. Australia has recorded 652 unprovoked shark attacks going back to 1580, the International Shark Attack File states.

Shark bites in colder northern waters do happen, but they are rare. A small number of attacks have been recorded off Russia, Finland and Washington state in the U.S.

Researchers are seeing more great whites off New England, said James Sulikowski. He is an expert on Northeastern sharks based at Arizona State University.

The greater number of sightings is "unequivocally" because of the healthier seal population off New England, Sulikowski said. The seal comeback started with the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972.

Grey seals – once hunted to the point of disappearing completely – are now common on Cape Cod.

The sharks are not looking for people, but they are a reason for swimmers to be cautious⁷, Sulikowski said. However, as sharks continue to hunt seals for food, the likelihood⁸ increases that they will instead find humans, he added.

In Maine, ocean officers are carrying out searches for sharks following the deadly attack. The state has restricted swimming at some state parks. It also has sent a clear message to beachgoers: if you see seals, stay away.

I'm Bryan Lynn.

Words in This Story

prefer – v. to like one thing better than something else

occasionally – adv. sometimes but not often

unprovoked – adj. happening without a reason or apparent⁹ cause

unequivocal – adj. without doubt, very clearly the case

cautious – adj. careful about avoiding danger

1 currently   

adv.通常地，普遍地，当前

参考例句：

• Currently it is not possible to reconcile this conflicting evidence.当前还未有可能去解释这一矛盾的例证。
• Our contracts are currently under review.我们的合同正在复查。

2 coastal   

adj.海岸的，沿海的，沿岸的

参考例句：

• The ocean waves are slowly eating away the coastal rocks.大海的波浪慢慢地侵蚀着岸边的岩石。
• This country will fortify the coastal areas.该国将加强沿海地区的防御。

3 cape   

n.海角，岬；披肩，短披风

参考例句：

• I long for a trip to the Cape of Good Hope.我渴望到好望角去旅行。
• She was wearing a cape over her dress.她在外套上披着一件披肩。

4 cod   

n.鳕鱼；v.愚弄；哄骗

参考例句：

• They salt down cod for winter use.他们腌鳕鱼留着冬天吃。
• Cod are found in the North Atlantic and the North Sea.北大西洋和北海有鳕鱼。

5 marine   

adj.海的；海生的；航海的；海事的；n.水兵

参考例句：

• Marine creatures are those which live in the sea. 海洋生物是生存在海里的生物。
• When the war broke out,he volunteered for the Marine Corps.战争爆发时，他自愿参加了海军陆战队。

6 tragic   

adj.悲剧的，悲剧性的，悲惨的

参考例句：

• The effect of the pollution on the beaches is absolutely tragic.污染海滩后果可悲。
• Charles was a man doomed to tragic issues.查理是个注定不得善终的人。

7 cautious   

adj.十分小心的，谨慎的

参考例句：

• We should not only be bold,but also be cautious.我们不仅要大胆，而且要谨慎。
• He was cautious about his work.他对工作非常谨慎。

8 likelihood   

n.可能，可能性

参考例句：

• We must try our best to reduce the likelihood of war.我们必须尽最大努力减少战争的可能性。
• I don't think there is any likelihood of his agreeing to it.我认为不会有他同意那件事情的可能。

9 apparent   

adj.表面上的，貌似真实的，显然的，明明白白的

参考例句：

• The apparent truth was really a lie.表面上看似实话，实际上是个谎言。
• His guilt is apparent to all.他的罪恶尽人皆知。