Great White Sharks Sighted in San Clemente; Beaches Closed

SAN CLEMENTE, CA — Is it safe to go back in the water? As of 1 p.m. Monday, San Clemente's beaches were declared off limits to swimmers following the sighting of more than two dozen sharks this weekend.

Lifeguards first closed the city's beaches around 10:30 a.m. Sunday after an 8- to 9-foot shark was spotted off the San Clemente Pier, according to media reports. Another shark was spotted off the pier at 1 p.m.

The beach closure was extended at 4 p.m. after an Orange County sheriff's helicopter spotted the school of more than two dozen juvenile great white sharks. According to OCSD, they were spotted within 25 yards of the beach between Cotton's Point and Capistrano Beach, some up to 10 feet long.

The beaches will remain off limits to swimmers and surfers until at least 8 a.m. Monday, officials said.

San Clemente's beaches were closed in April when a shark bit a woman in the thigh at San Onofre State Beach. In early may, a pod of 15 sharks was observed swimming offshore.

Long Beach has issued shark advisories this month warning swimmers of the sightings of juvenile white sharks, some as long as 6 feet, near Belmont Shore.

On May 19, local Dana Point area fishermen spotted these great white sharks while out on the water. Two great white sharks were spotted off the bow of their vessel.

"That's a big white shark," one of them said. "Gnarly, right off the beach."

As of this report, the city of San Clemente has not stated whether or not the beaches and whether to keep them off limits to swimmers following the sighting of more than two dozen sharks.

A decision is expected Monday morning on whether and to let surfers and swimmers resume doing their thing. For now, swimmers and surfers are reminded to be "shark aware" when the beaches do reopen:

• Avoid swimming or surfing at dusk or dawn.
• Avoid swimming while wearing reflective jewelry.
• Always swim in a group.
• Pay attention to posted "shark sighting" or "shark advisory" signs.

Read Also:

• Watch: Shark Attack Buoy In Dana Point
  
• San Onofre Beach Reopens After Shark Attack
  
• Orange County Beaches Close In Response To Shark Attack

Pixabay Image of Black Tip Shark