A two-mile stretch of Sunset Beach in Huntington Beach was closed Sunday after a shark sighting, according to a statement on X by the city of Huntington Beach.
The beach closure came around 3:45 p.m. after people reported seeing aggressive shark activity and an injured baby whale beached.
“While the whale was still alive, bite marks were seen on the mammal,” the city said in a post on X. “In speaking with those in the area, beachgoers reported seeing splashing & aggressive shark activity prior to the whale washing ashore.”
In the post, the city stated that the policy when aggressive shark behavior is witnessed is that the shoreline and ocean will be closed for one mile in each direction of the incident.
SHARK BITES SOUTH CAROLINA SURFER’S FACE AT POPULAR FLORIDA BEACH, OFFICIALS SAY
On Friday, July 14, 2023, at about 12:15 p.m. PT, San Diego Fire-Rescue lifeguards patrolling about 100 yards from shore at Blacks Beach spotted three juvenile great white sharks. (San Diego Fire-Rescue Department)
City officials say the closure began at 4:30 p.m. Sunday and is scheduled to remain in effect until 4:30 p.m. Tuesday.
Huntington Beach, CA – July 30: Surfing fans watch the action from the beach and on the Huntington Beach Pier during opening day of the US Open of Surfing in Huntington Beach on Saturday, July 30, 2022. ((Photo by Mark Rightmire/MediaNews Group/Orange County Register via Getty Images))
