SAN ONOFRE (AFP) - The chilly waters off San Onofre are inviting for surfers, and those who do venture in for a surf have been able to do so in the knowledge they are safe from sharks.
Until now, that is.
In a virtually unprecedented warning, State agencies warned surfers, divers and others thinking of braving San Onofre to be on the alert for Great White sharks. The discovery of a series of dead porpoises washed up onto surf beach , some with large chunks apparently bitten out of them, has prompted the warning, the State reported on Wednesday.
Around 45 porpoises have been found along with the headless bodies of seals and remains of other large fish and gophers. Experts say this points to the presence of a large white shark nearby. The sharks, which grows up to 25 feet in length, are known to be found in local waters. It is thought that conservation efforts off California which have greatly increased the local porpoise population might have attracted a shark, the state said.
"We would advise all those using the water, including surfers, fishermen and divers, to be especially careful and vigilant," Dr. Ralph said in a statement. "There have been many reported sightings of this shark ."
Some of the porpoise bodies have been sent to Dr. Ralph of the Natural History Museum so the cause of death can be determined, the state added.
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