Wildlife experts say a healthy seal population along the Northeast coast of the United States will likely lead to more shark attacks on humans. Seals are top targets for large sharks such as the great white. The seals are currently doing well in areas of the Northeast thanks to years of protective efforts. But in recent years, there have been more attacks on humans. Experts say the sharks mistook people for seals. The latest attack happened on July 27, off the coast of Maine, when a woman swimmer was killed by a great white shark.