SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - Santa Barbara surfers are being told to stay away from the water after a 10 foot great white shark was spotted just five feet away from a surfer near Leadbetter Beach on Tuesday night. The shark was spotted about 150 yards from the shore. The surfer got away unharmed.
Experts say there is not a specific reason why sharks are coming close to shore this summer, but they warn beach goers to watch out. Peter Howarth with the Santa Barbara Marine Mammal Center says he thinks sharks are attracted to the other coastal wildlife.
"Any area where seals, sea lions and sea otters are present in the near vicinity that swimming in an area is pretty hazardous," says Howarth. "That's why we've closed some of the beaches in Santa Barbara County or at least posted them" [warnings signs].
Warning signs have been posted at several area beaches telling beach goers to swim at their own risk. This is one of several times a shark has been spotted in the Santa Barbara area this summer. Just recently, a commercial fisherman spotted a 17 foot shark in Pismo Beach on July 28th.
