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15 great white sharks force evacuation of California beach

The young sharks, migrating northward, are approaching beaches in search of warm water and food.

By Ed Adamczyk

May 12 (UPI) -- Fifteen great white sharks were spotted at Capistrano Beach in Dana Point, Calif., prompting an emergency evacuation of swimmers and paddle boarders from the water.

Emergency officials issued evacuation warnings to beach goers from a helicopter.

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"Attention in the water: This is the Orange County Sheriff's Department ... you are paddle boarding next to approximately 15 great white sharks," they said in one announcement Wednesday.

The young sharks, typically 5 to 6 feet long, were migrating northward and drawing close to the shoreline in search of warm water and an abundant supply of food, the Los Angeles Times reported Friday. The warning at Capistrano Beach was the latest in several weeks of advisories about the presence of sharks. One injury, two weeks ago, was reported. A woman, 33, was attacked by a shark as she swam in the Pacific Ocean near San Onofre State Beach.

On Wednesday, sheriff's deputy Dean Stockbridge warned swimmers on the beach to leave the water, saying, "They are advising that you exit the water in a calm manner. The sharks are as close as the surf line."

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Later Wednesday, another group of about 10 great white sharks were seen 20 miles north, off the coast of Long Beach, prompting an advisory from the Long Beach Fire Department to enter the water "at their own risk."

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