Jaws
A dozen great white sharks recently spotted off the coast of Southern California in Huntington Beach, Sunset Beach and Seal Beach prompted advisories remaining in place on Memorial Weekend. Shown is a sign posted in Sunset Beach overlooking Bolsa Chica State Beach in Huntington Beach, where advisories are also posted. Bolsa Chica State Beach is one of California’s most visited state parks & beaches with the majority of tourists coming between Memorial Weekend and Labor Day Weekend.
While some countries have no system to report shark attacks, there are approx. 75 attacks reported annually. Out of more than 480 shark species, only three are responsible for the majority of fatal unprovoked attacks on humans: the great white, tiger and bull. In California death by shark attack is fairly rare but the culprit in nearly every case is the great white:
- SURF BEACH (Near Lompoc) October 23, 2012 Francisco Javier Solorio Jr., 39, was bitten on the left side of his upper torso and killed by a great white shark while surfing. The attack occurred at Surf Beach near Vandenberg Air Force Base in Santa Barbara County.
- SURF BEACH October 22, 2010 Lucas McKaine Ransom, 19, was bitten by a great white shark and killed.
- SOLANA BEACH April 25, 2008 David Roger Martin, 66, was bitten across both thighs and killed by a great white shark as he swam with a group of triathletes.
