Shark attacks Orange County Beaches

Los Angeles media outlets didn't refrain from comparing the attacked and injured swimmer in Corona del Mar on Memorial Weekend to the movie, Jaws, involving a similar scenario of an approaching summer beach season and shark attack of a woman at a popular Florida beach. Though rare, shark bites have occurred at California beaches.

On May 30, 2016 the City of Newport Beach issued a statement: Ocean Access Closure from Balboa Pier South to Crystal Cove to Remain in Effect Until at Least Tuesday, May 31

Ocean access in the section of Newport Beach that stretches from the Balboa Pier south to the City's border with Crystal Cove State Beach will remain closed until at least the morning of Tuesday, May 31. Newport Beach lifeguards and police personnel will continue to evacuate any individual that enters the water in this area until a determination is made that all, some or none of the area can be reopened to the public.

The closure is in response to the May 29 incident in which Newport Beach lifeguards, patrolling off the coast of Corona del Mar, responded to a female swimmer in distress. Lifeguards assisting the female victim observed what appeared to be an animal bite wound or wounds on the victim's torso and arm. On May 30 a spokesman for Orange County Global Medical Center confirmed that the wounds appear to be consistent with a shark bite.