Great White Off Oregon; Sharks Close NoCa Beaches
Posted by: Loren Coleman on August 11th, 2009
Biologists at the Hatfield Marine Science Center in Oregon have confirmed a great white shark (pictured) was caught by fishermen aboard a ship out of Depoe Bay, over the weekend, according to KTVB.
A shark spotted at California’s Seacliff State Beach August 11, feeding on a dolphin, has prompted State Parks officials to close the beach and nearby New Brighton for the next seven days, according to the San Jose Mercury News. State Parks rangers said they could not confirm what type of shark was sighted nor whether the shark had killed the cetacean or if the shark found the dead animal.
Now comes word that San Francisco area’s popular Stinson Beach on the Pacific Ocean was closed Tuesday, August 11, after a pair of shark sightings, officials said. The beach will be mostly off-limits at least until Friday, August 14th, though it wasn’t clear what species of shark had been spotted 100-200 yards offshore independently by two people on Monday, the Marin Independent Journal reported.
- Similar Phenomena:
Yes. There are sharks. BECAUSE. IT’S. THE. OCEAN! The sharks are always there, whether you see them or not. People panicking and closing beaches and issuing news conferences, is what causes the fear of these animals. If you have ever been in the ocean, you have been somewhat near a shark. If you are reading this, it didn’t eat you. People who go in the ocean on a daily basis can tell you they are there. And as with most animals, if you take a few safety precautions, you will be safe. It is stories like these that cause people to call for the killing of sharks, and any other animal they know little about. I’m not saying not to warn people, it just doesn’t need to be a full scale media frenzy.
It is sad to see this male great white shark dead. This species is protected here in California. I think Oregon should do the same since these sharks frequent the pacific coast.
Good thing this shark was not a sexually mature female. These sharks do not mature sexually until they get over fourteen feet in length. This takes many years.
What a magnificent creature…
I agree with Ctinn, I lived on the Oregon Coast for years. The sharks have always been there. Why make a big deal out of it now?