White Sharks Spotted Off Coronado Coast

CORONADO, CA – Lifeguards in Coronado are monitoring local waters after spotting at least two juvenile white sharks Wednesday and Thursday.

The sharks were at least a quarter to a half-mile off the coast and did not appear to be engaging swimmers or showing signs of aggression, according to lifeguards.

"Under existing protocol, the city was not required to close the beach or publicly report the sightings," City Manager Blair King said. "However, the city feels it's important for the community to know that it takes these types of sightings seriously and is carefully monitoring the waters off Coronado."

A San Diego Fire-Rescue Department helicopter was called to the scene at about 4 p.m. Thursday and confirmed at least two 4- to 5-foot-long white sharks off the coast. A lifeguard followed the sharks as they headed north toward Point Loma, according to the city.

Two Coronado lifeguards spotted possibly the same sharks on Wednesday.

The city is working with Chris Lowe at the Shark Lab to learn more about the sightings. He plans to try to tag or take DNA from the sharks over the weekend, according to the city. Lowe said it is not uncommon to see juvenile white sharks offshore.