Swimmers and surfers along the Southern California coast were interrupted on Wednesday as a sheriff’s helicopter crew calmly warned them to get out of the waters after spotting several great white sharks.
Videos posted by the Orange County Sheriff’s Department showed a beautifully calm, clear blue-green sea...and, on, closer look, several sharks swimming near people at Dana Point.
“Attention, in the water....you are paddle-boarding next to approximately 15 great white sharks,” Deputy Brian Stockbridge announced over the helicopter loudspeaker to people in the water. “They are advising you exit the water in a calm manner. The sharks are as close as the surfline.”
Advisories were also put up for beaches up and down Southern California thanks to shark sightings this week. A woman was even bitten by a shark at San Onofre State Beach on April 29. She survived the attack after a witness intervened in time.
Marine safety officials said frequent shark activity is due to a “thriving aquatic ecosystem” in the area and believe that 10-20 juvenile sharks swam near Long Beach every day.
Buy an annual Scroll Membership to support independent journalism and get special benefits.
Our journalism is for everyone. But you can get special privileges by buying an annual Scroll Membership. Sign up today!