A great white shark was spotted near Stinson Beach on Monday afternoon, prompting a five-day ban on swimming and surfing there, a National Park Service spokeswoman said.
The shark, estimated to be between 10 and 15 feet long, was seen multiple times in the water near the northern part of the beach, spokeswoman Alexandra Picavet said.
There was one reported sighting around 1:30 p.m., and a lifeguard then spotted the shark along the surf line around 3 p.m., she said.
The shark was seen not far from the spot on the beach where a baby fin whale was found Monday morning, Picavet said. The whale died later that morning.
“There is reason to believe that the whale was an attractant for shark, bringing it closure to shore,” she said.
There have been reports that the shark may have attacked a seal in the water off the beach, but Picavet said she could not confirm that.
The swimming and surfing ban went into effect on Monday, but people are still allowed to walk on the beach, she said.
Jamey Padojino, Bay City News
