DEL MAR, Calif. (KGTV) - For the past five days, five shark sightings have been reported off North San Diego County beaches, Del Mar lifeguards tell 10News.
A juvenile shark, about 5 feet long, was spotted Friday afternoon. It did not show signs of aggressive behavior, lifeguards said. The water was not cleared of swimmers and surfers.
Del Mar’s shark sightings started Monday and have continued every day this week. Sighting locations include 15th and 29th streets, City of Del Mar officials reported.
Drew Pierce, who went to Del Mar to avoid triple-digit heat in Temecula, was in the water Wednesday when he saw several 3-4 foot long sharks.
RELATED: What to do if a shark attacks at San Diego County beaches / San Diego is hot spot for shark attacks
“When the wave was about to crash, I just saw all of them swimming in a group.”
Lifeguards posted signs at beach entrances saying, “Advisory: Shark Sighted. Enter at Your Own Risk.”
Heidi Dewar, Research Biologist at the Southwest Fisheries Science Center, said sharks under 6 feet long are juveniles. They tend to eat smaller fish and pose no threat to people, Dewar said.
Dewar recommends avoiding beaches at dusk and dawn, avoiding river mouths, and monitoring shark warning signs.
Farther up the coast, two local surfers spotted multiple sharks near El Portal Beach in San Clemente Friday afternoon, City News Service reported. One of the sharks was about 10 feet long, prompting officials to close the beach at the 204 surf spot.
A shark was also spotted off the coast of Coronado Wednesday.
