HomeCity NewsSecond Shark Sighting Reported in La Jolla

Second Shark Sighting Reported in La Jolla

SAN DIEGO (CNS) – Another hammerhead shark was spotted in San Diego waters Sunday, Aug. 30, the second sighting over the weekend.

San Diego Lifeguards said a kayak fisherman was approached by a nearly 7- foot shark somewhere between 1-1/2 to 2 miles off of La Jolla Shores, at 12:10 p.m.

The sighting happened just 50 minutes before the 24-hour shark advisory would expire and it is around the same time Saturday that another large hammerhead was spotted near the surf line off the same beach.

According to lifeguards, the shark followed the kayaker to about 250 feet away from the boat launch. That’s when the man flagged down a lifeguard boat and warned a nearby swimmer.

The shark swam toward the swimmer in a non-aggressive manner and quickly turned around towards deeper waters, officials said. It was not seen again.

The beaches between La Jolla Cove and Scripps Pier remain open, but a shark advisory was in effect until the end of the day.

The first hammerhead was about 6 feet long, and its fin was visible above the calm ocean surface as it circled a group of kayakers. One videoed the event and posted it.

People were warned of the danger, but were free to go into the water.

One of the kayakers told the San Diego Union-Tribune that the party had caught a yellowfin, and had drained the fish blood into the water “to keep it fresher.” Sharks are attracted to fish blood.

Hammerhead sharks are rarely seen near the shore, Lt. Andy Lerum of San Diego Lifeguards said. However, warm weather and currents from the south made San Diego waters warmer than usual.     According to Lerum, water temperatures were about 74 degrees at La Jolla, which made the beach an ideal condition for the shark.

Experts at the Birch Aquarium agreed with the beach closures because they were concerned by the shark’s behavior, he said.

Additional details of the second shark weren’t released.

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