Marine Conservation

Great White Shark Sightings Surge Off Maine Coast This Summer

Maine recorded a wave of great white shark encounters this summer, including a lifeguard pulled underwater near Scarborough and a dozen sightings near Pine Point Beach within two days. Several beaches closed temporarily as sharks were spotted through Labor Day weekend, with one caught by a fisherman about 30 miles down the coast. Experts say warming waters play a role, but the bigger driver is a decades-old conservation success rebuilding seal and shark populations, combined with more beachgoers using tech that spots sharks.

wired.com · 2026-09-16

Australia records first confirmed H5N1 bird flu death in a dolphin

Australian authorities have confirmed that a dolphin died after being infected with the H5N1 avian influenza strain, marking the first known case of the virus killing a dolphin in the country. A veteran marine conservation scientist called the finding shocking and deeply concerning.

gizmodo.com · 2026-08-31