Shark Attack In Santa Cruz

We’re excited to have a story this month on California’s growing shark population in this month’s issue as a preview to the Discovery Channel’s Shark Week lineup – the show we wrote about, Sharks In The City: LA, will air on July 25.

As you’ll discover in our conversation with Cal State Long Beach Shark Lab leader Dr. Chris Lowe, sharks sometimes attack swimmers, surfers and boaters, as a kayaker off the coast of Santa Cruz experienced earlier this week.

Here’s the San Jose Mercury News with more from  popular Cowell Beach:

The typically packed surf spot was almost empty after a newly posted shark warning prohibited water activities from the San Lorenzo rivermouth to Fair Avenue until Saturday morning.

The closure — and reports of the attack, which did not cause any injury — has shocked the surf community.

The order, which shut down water activities in Main Beach, Cowell Beach, Steamer Lane, Its Beach and others, was issued after a large shark bit a kayak a quarter mile off Steamer Lane about 11 a.m. Tuesday, according to the Santa Cruz Fire Department.

The kayak’s strong Kevlar hull was crunched in the attack, but the boater was not hurt, Fire Chief Jim Frawley said.

“We’re not closing the beach. We are closing water activity,” Frawley said. “We’re just going to appeal to them. ‘Help us out here. There’s plenty of other places people go paddle and kayak.’”

Those who violate the order could face citations, he said.

“We don’t want to do that,” Frawley said. “Marine safety staff and lifeguards will monitor the area in the meantime.”

Stay safe at the beach, everyone!