Shark Sightings Force Closure Of Popular San Clemente Beach

SAN CLEMENTE, CA — A gathering of sharks gave surfers a scare in San Clemente, prompting the closure of the popular surf spot Friday afternoon.

Several shark were sighted near surfers at El Portal Beach, and the size of the sharks was enough for the San Clemente Marine Safety Department to close the beach, said Officer Nick Jiugni. Authorities closed a roughly two-mile stretch of beach from Poche Beach the T-Street area.

Two local surfers spotted multiple sharks outside the surf zone about 2:45 p.m., said Jiugni.

A number of the sharks appeared to juveniles, but at least one was big enough to prey on marine mammals, making them potentially dangerous to surfers. Two to three of the sharks appeared to be about 5 feet long and one was about 10 feet.

The well-known "204" surf spot will remain closed until 7 p.m. Friday, Jiugni said. After that, if no other sharks are spotted, beachgoers will be advised about the shark sightings and told to swim at their own risk, Jiugni said.

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City News Service contributed to this report.