"I want to stress this is a very highly unusual event," said Patrick Keliher, commissioner of the Maine Department of Marine Resources. "She reportedly split her time between her summer home in Maine, New York City and Naples, Florida.Sharks have been sighted in various places off the north-east US coast in recent weeks, particularly around Long Island in New York, the AFP news agency reports.There have also been previous sightings around Cape Cod, Massachusetts, The US president fuels a fringe idea, echoing his past baseless claims about Barack Obama's origins. "They happened to be right there at the scene. Previously the state only had one reported shark attack, Keliher said. The diver was not injured.Ms Holowach had retired early after a highly successful career as a fashion executive, "She's one of the happiest, most energetic people with the greatest disposition and zest," long-time friend Karen Murray told the Post, adding that the victim had two children, a son and daughter. The woman was swimming near Bailey Island - close to the city of Portland - … A woman has been killed by a great white in the first fatal shark attack on record in the US state of Maine. It is only the second shark attack ever recorded in Maine. "All of a sudden Julie just started screaming for help. Maine's first ever deadly shark attack claimed the life of a 63-year-old woman. Authorities in Maine said Tuesday the woman killed in a rare shark attack off the state's coast a day earlier was a 63-year-old resident of New York City.The shark bite killed Julie Dimperio Holowach, the Maine Department of Marine Resources said. Commissioner of Keliher said wearing anything dark could mimic a seal. Julie Dimperio Holowach, 63, of New York City, was splashing with her daughter approximately 20 yards off the coast of Bailey Island when a large shark, likely mistaking Holowach for a seal, struck her with such force that she was launched out of the water, witnesses said. HARPSWELL, Maine — The Maine Marine Patrol says they are investigating the death of a woman Monday afternoon near Bailey Island. Two kayakers helped her get to shore and an ambulance provided further assistance, but she was pronounced dead at the scene, the marine patrol said.The attack happened about 9 to 12 metres offshore, and the rescuers were a man and woman in a rented tandem kayak, said Jeff Cooper, co-owner of H2Outfitters on the island, which offers instruction, rentals and sales of kayaks.The kayakers were on the shore when one of them saw something breach and realized something was wrong, Cooper said. Large sharks prey on seals, which are common off Maine.Bailey Island is part of the town of Harpswell, about 64 kilometres up the Maine coast from Portland. She actually did triathlons. The attack is the only confirmed shark fatality ever recorded in Maine waters, according to records. Julie Holowach (Facebook page) She was in great, great physical shape. (Facebook) Two weeks ago Maine recorded its first fatal great white shark attack. Please note that CBC does not endorse the opinions expressed in comments. These are external links and will open in a new windowA woman has been killed by a great white in the first fatal shark attack on record in the US state of Maine.The woman was swimming near Bailey Island - close to the city of Portland - on Monday when she was attacked.She was named as Julie Holowach, 63, a recently retired fashion executive from New York. These are external links and will open in a new window She made her money, and she wanted to spend time with her family.
The species is less common in the region because of its cooler waters.Ms Holowach was swimming just 18 metres (60ft) offshore with her daughter near Mackerel Cove when she was attacked, A neighbour, Tom Whyte, told the newspaper he had seen the attack from his office overlooking the cove. The state Marine Patrol has urged swimmers and boaters to use caution near Bailey Island and to avoid swimming near schooling fish or seals. The victim was wearing a wetsuit at the time of the attack. He added that, although the incident of a shark attack in Maine waters is extremely rare, people should use caution when swimming or paddling in areas where there are schooling fish or seals. Harpswell is a town of about 4,700 that is popular with vacationers and second homeowners for its coast, beaches and sweeping views of Casco Bay.The Maine Marine Patrol said it would provide more details about its investigation later on Tuesday.To encourage thoughtful and respectful conversations, first and last names will appear with each submission to CBC/Radio-Canada's online communities (except in children and youth-oriented communities). "He said Ms Holowach's daughter had started swimming towards her.Another witness told the Press Herald there was "a lot of blood in the water".Two kayakers helped Ms Holowach get to shore after the attack.An ambulance was also on hand to help at the scene, but she was later pronounced dead.A tooth fragment from the scene confirmed she had been attacked by a great white shark, a local official said.Ms Holowach was reportedly wearing a wet suit and her daughter was not, fuelling speculation locally that the shark may have mistaken the older woman for a seal.Great whites have been sighted in recent summers in Maine, where many seals swim in local waters.The only previous such attack recorded in Maine waters happened in 2010 and involved a scuba diver fending off a porbeagle shark, according to the Press Herald report. Marine Patrol confirmed what witnesses at the scene told NEWS CENTER Maine: a woman was swimming off the shore near While Sails Lane when she was injured in what appeared to be a shark attack.