SANTA BARBARA, CA – August 15, 2012
At 5:20 p.m. yesterday, a surfer off Leadbetter Point spotted a shark five feet away whose dorsal fin and tail fin were both out of the water. Judging by the reported 6’-7’ “spread” between the shark’s fins, plus its reported color and girth, this is being treated as a credible sighting of a great white shark. The City’s Waterfront and Parks and Recreation departments have posted warning signs at 14 locations near City beaches, and one on each of five lifeguard towers between Leadbetter Point and East Beach. This action reflects standard protocols developed for this type of event and is warranted not only by yesterday’s sighting, but in light of recent, confirmed white-shark attacks on marine mammals in local waters. If there are no other shark sightings or evidence of shark attacks on marine life, the signs will be removed in 72 hours (Friday at sunset).
Contact:
Karl Treiberg
Waterfront Facilities Manager/Acting Waterfront Director
City of Santa Barbara
805-564-5527
ktreiberg@santabarbaraca.gov
or
Mick Kronman
Harbor Operations Manager
City of Santa Barbara
805-897-2587
mkronman@santabarbaraca.gov