Porpoise-Chomping Shark Closes Two Santa Cruz Beaches

Seacliff and New Brighton state beaches are closed for up to seven days after visitors spotted a shark chomping on a porpoise off Seacliff beach at around 3 p.m. Tuesday.

“We have a confirmed predatory activity attack by a shark,” said Kirk Lingenfelter, superintendent with California State Parks, who ordered the closures when a four-foot long harbor porpoise washed up on Seacliff beach soon after the shark was spotted. Lingenfelter said researchers are still determining the size and type of the shark.

In keeping with protocol, the beaches will be closed to swimming, bathing and surfing within one mile of the shark sighting. Seabright and New Brighton could open by the weekend if no more sightings are reported.

The Santa Cruz County closures follow the closure of three miles of Stinson Beach in Marin County on Monday due to reported shark sightings there. Those beaches could reopen Friday.

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