Shark attack spurs warnings

Authorities warn divers to avoid lingering on the surface, keep close to kelp and unload fish catches quickly to avoid sharks in the wake of last week’s fatal attack by a great white in Northern California.

Authorities recovered remains of Randall Fry, 50, of Auburn nearly a week after he disappeared Aug. 15 while abalone diving 10 miles north of Ft. Bragg.

Since the early 1950s, 106 shark attacks have been reported on the West Coast, according to the Department of Fish and Game.

“The best advice is to dive with a partner and to avoid areas with high concentrations of pinnipeds,” says Kon Karpov, a marine biologist with the department.

-- Gary Polakovic