James Sulikowski appears on four TV news stations, reassuring public about recent shark sightings in Maine waters

On June 22, 2015, James Sulikowski, Ph.D., professor in the Department of Marine Sciences, was interviewed by various television news stations inquiring about his expert opinion on three shark sightings that occurred off the coast of Maine over the weekend.

On Saturday, possible great white shark sightings were reported off the coast of Portland, Wells and Old Orchard Beach. Sulikowski, however, informed viewers of news stations, including WGME-13, WMTW-8, WCSH-6, and NECN, that they likely have nothing to fear when venturing into the ocean this summer, as the sharks that were sighted were not great whites but rather basking sharks, which are toothless and pose no threat to humans.

Sulikowski explained that images captured of the sharks this weekend demonstrate tell-tale signs that they were basking sharks, which are larger and have a rounder dorsal fin and different coloring than great whites.

Sulikowski also offered reassurance that "even if it was a white shark…the chances of… being attacked are so slim."