Great White Shark Off Stinson Beach Prompts Swimming, Surfing Ban
STINSON BEACH (KCBS) - A great white shark was spotted off the Stinson Beach Monday afternoon, prompting a ban on swimming and surfing for at least the next several days.
The Chief of the Stinson Beach Fire Department confirmed to the great white sighting to KCBS.
The shark sighting came on the same day a fin whale washed up onto Stinson Beach and died.
Officials with the Golden Gate National Recreation Area posted signs advising of the surfing and swimming ban after a shark, presumed to be a great white, was spotted roughly 300 yd. off the beach, at around 1:40 p.m.
Over the next five hours, lifeguards using telescopes, binoculars and patrol trucks saw what was described to KCBS as "consistent shark activity" off the beach.
The ban remains in effect for five days from the last shark sighting; if no other shark is sighted, the ban should end this weekend.
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