Stinson Beach Closed After Great White Shark Seen Near Beached Whale

One too many aquatic creatures -- as in a very large one, with very sharp teeth -- means Marin's Stinson Beach will be closed for now.

Thank the shark.

The sighting of a 10-15-foot-long great white shark near where a fin whale "beached itself" means Stinson Beach will be closed for five days, until Sunday morning.

The National Park Service isn’t allowing people in the water. Local surf shops say that's bad for business.

"A large portion of our business is probably through the rentals here at Stinson Beach," said Live Water Surf Shop’s Mac Bonn. "Between that and the lessons we do, I’m sure it’s definitely hitting us a little bit."

A lifeguard saw the shark at about 3 p.m. on Monday. The beach was declared closed shortly thereafter.

The whale suffered some trauma that could be from contact with a boat, but had no broken bones. A cause of death has yet to be determined.

Blood from the whale’s wound might have attracted the shark.

The whale carcass has since been buried in a more remote part of the beach.

The National Park Service says no sharks have been sighted since Monday.
 

MORE: Stranded Fin Whale Dies at Stinson Beach

[Photo credit: Todd Alexander]

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