Old Orchard Beach urges swimmers to use caution after fatal shark attack in Casco Bay
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An entryway to the beach in the town of Old Orchard Beach, which is located on the shores of Saco Bay. LIZ GOTTHELF/Saco Bay News
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OLD ORCHARD BEACH — Though there have been no reported sightings of sharks in Old Orchard Beach, the town is asking beachgoers to use caution while swimming in Saco Bay and to stay close to shore.
On Monday, Dimperio Holowach, 63, of New York City, died as a result of a shark attack while swimming in Casco Bay near Bailey Island, said Maine Department of Marine Resources Commissioner Patrick Keliher in a written statement.
After consulting with Massachusetts Department of Marine Fisheries Senior Scientist Gregory Skomal, it was confirmed the shark involved in the incident was a great white shark, said Keliher.
This was the first confirmed fatal shark attack in Maine, said Keliher. The last confirmed shark attack in Maine was 10 years ago, involving a porbeagle shark near off the coast of Eastport, he said.
On Wednesday, Popham Beach lifeguards reported a possible shark sighting, but the Maine Marine Patrol searched the area and did not see any sharks, but did see a Moli Moli, or sea sunfish, and seals feeding on fish, according to a statement on Wednesday from the Maine Department of Marine Resources.
A shark advisory was issued for Broad Cove Reserve beach in Cumberland Foreside on Wednesday, but the town of Cumberland lifted the advisory on Thursday.
The state, “out of an abundance of caution,” has put restrictions on swimming in its coastal state parks, according to Wednesday’s statement from the DMR. Swimmers in Ferry Beach State Park in Saco are limited to waist-deep water.
The town of Old Orchard Beach on Thursday night issued a statement asking swimmers to go no further than chest deep. Town officials said there have been no recent reported shark sightings off the shores of Old Orchard Beach, but they are being cautious. Old Orchard Beach is located on Saco Bay, which is south of Casco Bay.
“Our lifeguards are diligently scanning the water and you can help by staying closer to shore,” said town officials in the written statement. Anyone who spots what they think could be a shark should alert the lifeguards.
Publisher Liz Gotthelf can be reached at newsdesk@sacobaynews.com.