Latest news with #shark
CBS News
13 hours ago
- CBS News
Shark showing "aggressive behavior" prompts Redondo Beach closure Monday
Los Angeles County lifeguards closed a portion of the beach in Redondo Beach Monday evening due to shark activity. A shark was spotted around 5 p.m. at Ruby Street, just south of the Redondo Beach Pier. Lifeguards closed one mile of the beach in the area "due to a confirmed shark sighting exhibiting aggressive behavior." Around two hours later, at 7 p.m., the beach closure was lifted. "We continue to monitor the situation, and please report any shark sightings to the Lifeguards," Los Angeles County Fire Department, Lifeguard Division wrote on Facebook. In the summer of 2014, a 50-year-old man swimming in nearby South Bay ocean waters was bitten by a great white shark in his upper torso. He was treated at a hospital for significant injuries. The shark was caught in a fisherman's net at the Manhattan Beach Pier -- about 40 minutes before the attack -- and fighting for its life when it took a bite on the passing swimmer. LA County Sheriff's said they were able to coax to shark out to deeper water and away from swimmers.
Daily Mail
16 hours ago
- General
- Daily Mail
Iconic California beach closed after 'aggressive' shark was spotted devouring a sea lion
An 'aggressive' shark spotted chowing down on a sea lion forced the closure of a picturesque Southern California beach. A mile-long stretch of Redondo Beach in Los Angeles was closed after the shark was spotted 'exhibiting aggressive behavior' just south of the Redondo Pier. Lifeguards with the Los Angeles County Fire Department said they saw the shark devouring a sea lion just before 5pm on Monday, ocean lifeguard specialist Natalie Mohagen told The Orange County Register. The beach was quickly evacuated, according to a Facebook post from LAFD lifeguards. The beach was then reopened at 7pm, as lifeguards 'continue[d] to monitor the situation.' Lifeguards asked beachgoers to continue to keep an eye out for any shark sightings and report them immediately. The sighting comes after a terrifying incident in San Diego in which a swimmer made a lucky escape from a 'curious' great white shark. The shark, measuring about seven to eight feet in length, was spotted at Torrey Pines State Beach after a swimmer bumped into the beast. Several warning signs were posted at beach access points after the sighting. The warnings remained in place for 24 hours. Though it is not uncommon for the sea creatures to make their way back to the warm California beaches this time of year, it is 'rare' to see them 'bump' into people, Shark Lab director Chris Lowe told NBC San Diego. 'We have lots of sharks, and we have lots of people, usually in close proximity to each other all summer long, and the sharks tend to ignore people,' he explained. Lowe said the shark might have collided with the swimmer because it was startled or possibly just curious.
The Sun
18 hours ago
- The Sun
Shark attack fears off Majorca holiday beach as tourist limps from water with bloody leg wound sparking red flag warning
BATHERS have been ordered out of the sea at a Majorcan beach after a tourist suffered a leg wound at the hands of a mystery creature. Lifeguards raised a red flag and warned over a loudspeaker in in English: 'Swimming is forbidden in the area for a shark attack, shark attack." 1 More to follow... For the latest news on this story keep checking back at The Sun Online is your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video. Like us on Facebook at and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSun.
CBS News
19 hours ago
- General
- CBS News
Hammerhead shark sightings are increasing off Massachusetts. Here's what to know about them.
A species of shark not often seen in New England is becoming an increasingly popular sight in the waters off Massachusetts. Smooth hammerhead sharks are being reported by fishermen and recreational boaters this summer. State shark biologist John Chisholm told WBZ-TV that last weekend there were about a half-dozen sightings of hammerheads at the mouth of Buzzards Bay, west of Cuttyhunk Island. There have also been sporadic sightings off Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket. "We've always been on kind of the northern limit of their range," Chisholm said. "But in the past several years with the water warming we've been seeing more and more, especially around the islands and south of the Cape where the water gets really warm during the summertime." And it's not just hammerheads that could be on the way to Massachusetts thanks to a warming ocean. "I'm expecting we'll see some more southern species like the blacktip and spinner shark and maybe eventually the bull shark," Chisholm said. Bull sharks are known to be the most aggressive toward humans. While shark attacks are rare, a 9-year-old girl in southwest Florida was seriously injured after being attacked in June by what's believed to have been a bull shark. Smooth hammerheads, on the other hand, are nowhere near as dangerous to swimmers as bull sharks or the great white sharks that are already visiting Massachusetts for the summer. "They're not really a threat to humans. they're a fish-eating shark," Chisholm said about hammerheads. "They're not really interested in people." According to the ocean conservation organization Oceana, smooth hammerheads are on the larger end of the hammerhead species, with an average length of 8 to 11.5 feet. They can live up to 20 years or longer and can birth up to 53 pups at a time. Chisholm said he doesn't believe there's been a fatal attack on a human by smooth hammerheads, but noted that they do have sharp teeth so people should still keep their distance. He encourages anyone who sees a shark to report the sighting. "They're very distinct. It's easy once you get a good picture, you know you're not going to mistake a hammerhead compared to some other species that look very similar," he said.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
How many shark attacks in Florida? What to do to reduce chances of being bitten by shark
During the summer, the primo spot for a hot and sunny day is the beach. Even with the calm nature of the beach, some might be wary of going too deep into the ocean for fear of getting bitten by a shark. The Florida Museum of Natural History puts the odds of being attacked by a shark at 1 in 11.5 million, but it's still a fear for many beachgoers. Here's what to know about shark bites on the Treasure Coast and how to stay safe when swimming at the beach. Shark bites on the Treasure Coast Since 1998, there have been 76 shark bites, two of which were fatal. There have been no reported shark bites this year, but in 2024, there was one at Bathtub Beach in Martin County. The 2024 bite was the second time Cole Taschman had been bitten by a shark — at the same beach, 11 years apart. Database: Shark bites on the Treasure Coast since 1998 How many shark attacks happened in Florida in 2024? There were 14 reported bites in Florida, a slight decrease from 16 in 2023, according to the University of Florida's International Shark Attack File 2024 report released in February. Taschman sustained a shark bite while paddling out near Bathtub Beach on Oct. 25. A seven- or eight-foot tiger or bull shark bit his feet in one bite, according to Taschman. The United States recorded the most bites, totaling 28, including one fatality in Hawaii. Reduce the odds of being bitten by a shark Here are some tips from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission for reducing your odds of being bitten by a shark, even though the chances are already low: Always stay in groups, as sharks are more likely to bite a solitary individual. Do not wander too far from shore. Avoid being in the water during dark hours or twilight, when sharks are most active. Do not enter the water if bleeding from an open wound or if menstruating because a shark's ability to smell blood is acute. Wearing shiny jewelry is discouraged because light reflects off shiny jewelry, which resembles the sheen of fish scales. Avoid waters with known discharges or sewage and waters used for any type of fishing, especially if there are signs of baitfish or feeding activity. Diving seabirds, which frequently feed on baitfish, are good indicators of such activity. While there are myths and anecdotes about dolphins saving humans from shark bites, the presence of dolphins does not necessarily indicate the absence of sharks, as both often eat the same foods. Use extra caution when the waters are murky. Remember that sharks see contrast particularly well. Uneven tans and bright-colored clothing may draw a shark's attention. Refrain from excess splashing, as this may draw a shark's attention. Do not allow pets in the water as their erratic movements may draw a shark's attention. Be cautious when occupying the area between sandbars or near steep drop-offs since sharks like to hang out in these areas. Swim only in areas tended by lifeguards. Do not enter the water if sharks are known to be present, and get out of the water if sharks are sighted. Never harass a shark. Florida sea turtle nesting season: Reckless people blamed for false crawls on Vero Beach Missing mangroves: DEP issues warning letter in Sebastian mangrove case What to do if a shark starts attacking you If a shark gets near you or tries to bite you, here's what the Florida Museum of Natural History recommends: Maintain eye contact with the shark Slowly move away and exit the water if possible Hit shark in the eyes and gills since these are sensitive areas that can be hurt, regardless of your own personal strength Hit the shark on the snout and push away since water-resistance can weaken a punch Gianna Montesano is TCPalm's trending reporter. You can contact her at 772-409-1429, or follow her on X @gonthescene. This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Which state has had the most shark attacks? Shark swimming safety tips
