James Sulikowski's research indicating an increased presence of white sharks in Maine waters featured in 'Press Herald' and on 'WCSH'

New data picked up by acoustic receivers set up off the Maine coast by James Sulikowski, Ph.D., professor of marine sciences, indicate an increased presence of white sharks in the area.

The story was recently featured in the Portland Press Herald and on WCSH.

Sulikowski detected a 12-foot great white shark near his only acoustic receiver in Maine, which is located off Stratton Island, about a mile away from Old Orchard Beach.

The shark was originally tagged by researchers on Cape Cod, Massachusetts, earlier this year.

During that tagging Greg Skomal of the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy was able to collect tissue samples from a biopsy dart designed by Amherst Machine Company.

“From that tissue we hopefully will be able to determine if the shark is pregnant,” Sulikowski told WCSH. “We’re looking to see if the habitat off Stratton Island is important for the conservation of this species, especially pregnant females.”

In July, students and researchers dropped underwater "shark cams" near the area to capture images of white sharks.

To date, the cameras have not provided the data they are looking for, but more cameras and more deployments could change that.

"We want to know about all the other sharks swimming around the area that haven’t been tagged,” he explained. “How often they’ve been here, how long they are staying, what they are doing, and, ultimately, if they are going to impact the ecosystem.”