The Coast Is Clear: Shark Warnings Come Down in Newport Beach

A two-mile section of ocean in Newport Beach was once again open today and warning signs were removed following a closure lasting more than five hours prompted by the sighting of an 8-foot hammerhead shark near the pier.

Advisory signs warning beachgoers about the shark sighting were removed since there have been no additional reports of sharks in the area since noon Monday, according to Jennifer Manzella of the Newport Beach Police Department.

The shark was spotted about 11 a.m. Monday, prompting a beach closure that lasted until about 4:30 p.m. The shark was not acting in an aggressive manner, but the closure was ordered as a precaution, Manzella said. The closure area stretched about one mile on each side of the Newport Pier from about 10th to 40th streets, she said.

On Oct. 8-9, a stretch of ocean off Huntington Beach was closed when a roughly 10-foot shark was spotted by a surfer.

City News Service; Photo: Newport Beach Lifeguard Department