Several great white sharks have been spotted near a Scarborough beach.
Five to seven great whites were spotted via a drone swimming and feeding near shore around Pine Point Beach on Wednesday, according to the Scarborough Police Department.
That comes after two sharks were spotted off Scarborough on Tuesday. The sharks have likely been attracted to the area by baitfish and seals, police said.
Beachgoers should remain vigilant and cautious. Police urged visitors to stay close to shore and avoid swimming alone, listen to lifeguard instructions, and get out of the water if a shark is seen.
So far, there hasn’t been any aggressive behavior toward swimmers or boaters.
Just over six years ago, Maine recorded its first fatal shark attack when a great white shark bit Julie Dimperio Holowach, 63, of New York City while she was swimming in Mackerel Cove off Bailey Island in Harpswell.
The Maine coast is at the northern edge of the great white shark’s range, but the fish are not commonly spotted off Maine.
Sightings are common from May to December, which peak from July to September.
As the Gulf of Maine continues to warm, some scientists have said such sightings could become more common in coming years, particularly as the sharks are attracted to the resurgent seal population off New England.