Second shark spotted when La Jolla beach reopens after Saturday closure
A second shark sighting off La Jolla led Sunday to a continued warning to swimmers and others using the popular recreational area, officials said.
On Saturday, lifeguards ordered the beach from La Jolla Cove to Scripps Pier closed after the sighting of an 8- to 10-foot hammerhead shark was confirmed by video taken by kayakers on a fishing outing.
Although lifeguards searched by boat and helicopter, no additional sightings of a shark were made Saturday. The beach was reopened at 7 a.m. Sunday although a shark advisory was made to swimmers and others.
But shortly after noon Sunday, a 6- to 8-foot hammerhead shark was seen 1.5 to 2 miles off La Jolla Shores.
The shark was spotted by a kayaker/fisherman and may have been drawn by fish blood in the water, according to Lee Swanson, spokesman for the San Diego Fire & Rescue Department.
The shark followed the kayaker/fisherman to within 250 yards of the shore before it turned around and headed for deeper water, without acting aggressively, Swanson said.
As a result, lifeguards decided not to close the beach but to renew the shark advisory to beach patrons.
Twitter: @LATsandiego
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