U.S. National - AP Calif. Deals With Shark Attack, Sightings Fri Aug 29, 6:31 PM ET By CHELSEA J. CARTER, Associated Press Writer SAN ONOFRE, Calif. - A shark attack and sightings close enough to shore to warrant nicknames for a trio of great white sharks have prompted swimmers and surfers to think twice about summer's last big beach weekend. "We're not going to be going in the water," said Todd Wester, 38, as he unpacked towels during a recent trip with his family to San Onofre State Beach, 60 miles north of San Diego. Many other Californians face the same choice over the Labor Day holiday — their fears compounded by a shark attack earlier this month on the central coast that killed a woman as she swam alongside seals. The great white shark that attacked her was believed to be 15 to 18 feet long. Predators have also been repeatedly spotted close to shore, sometimes bumping surfers' boards. At San Onofre, the signs posted on gates and lifeguard towers are warnings. At Avila Beach, about 200 miles north of Los Angeles, authorities have closed the water. Deborah Franzman, 50, of Nipomo was killed by a great white while swimming among seals at Avila Beach on Aug. 19. The shark was believed to be 15 to 18 feet long. It was California's first fatal shark attack since 1994 and only the 10th recorded death in the state since 1952, according to state Fish and Game records. Her death has had drastic effects on businesses in the tiny hamlet. "On a busy midweek day we get about 400 people," Danielle Evans, manager of the Custom House Restaurant, said Thursday. "Yesterday, no one hardly looked at the water." Biologists say once a great white has been spotted, it's prudent to be cautious. "It's probably best for people to stay out of the water. White sharks are known to stay in areas for periods of time, and return to areas year after year," said Mike Shane, a research biologist at the Hubbs-Sea World Research Institute. Three young sharks, about 6 to 7 feet long and weighing up to 350 pounds each, have been spotted almost daily at San Onofre since last week. Although great white sharks can be found in coastal waters from Alaska to Baja California, officials say it is unusual to find sharks so close to the surface and the shoreline for an extended period of time. "We've seen sharks out here for years. It's a little peculiar that they have been this close to shore for this long," said Michael Tope, the state Department of Parks and Recreation district superintendent who oversees northern San Diego and southern Orange County beaches, including San Onofre. The sharks were believed to be feeding along a nearby reef, he said. "We're not advising people to stay away from the beach. We're advising that they use extreme caution when they are in the water," Tope said. Surfers have named the sharks Sparky, Fluffy and Archie. But state officials say there is little to consider playful about one of the largest marine predators. The sharks rely on stealth to stalk their prey, which include seals, and typically attack from below. The sharks can mistake paddling surfers or swimmers silhouetted against the surface for seals. Surfer Mike Richer 42, said he wasn't afraid of the sharks but was taking precautions. "I'm keeping my feet up on the board. I don't dig as deep when I'm paddling," he said. "I recognize I'm playing in their backyard." Richer opted to get out of the water after a friend, Dustin Zeits, wiped out on rocks, cut his knee and began to bleed. "It was time to get out. Why take a chance? I know they are great sniffers," said Zeits, 33. Lynee Miller, 34, said she was taking no chances at San Onofre. "I'm not Zen with the sharks. I will stay clear of their house for now," she said as she walked her dog along the beach. This is why I stay out of the water. If you don't want to be eaten or injured by sea life, stay the hell out of their ocean. I don't have gills. I don't belong in the ocean. When sharks start walking on dry land and trespassing in my backyard, I'll start spending quality time in their sea. I love sharks. They are amazing creatures. That being said, I still wouldn't swim with their food. I admire from afar. posted by Beth 12:59 AM . . . Tuesday, August 26, 2003 Still kickin' Hold off on those funeral arrangements, folks. I'm still alive...barely. I had a fever of 102.0 on Friday. Not good considering my body temperature runs low, around 97.5. Found this out in college when I had a severe ear infection. I was burning up to the touch, but the temperature was only 99 point something. When I came back after the infection cleared, the nurse took my temperature just to see what it was normally. A cool 97.7. When I'm at 98.6 I probably have a low grade fever. Woohoo! I love being abnormal. Not Abby Normal, abnormal. Some of you will get that. I worry about the ones who don't. Anyhoo, I'm taking my temperature now with my neato Vicks digital thermometer. 99.2. Getting better! posted by Beth 2:01 AM . . .
Still kickin' Hold off on those funeral arrangements, folks. I'm still alive...barely. I had a fever of 102.0 on Friday. Not good considering my body temperature runs low, around 97.5. Found this out in college when I had a severe ear infection. I was burning up to the touch, but the temperature was only 99 point something. When I came back after the infection cleared, the nurse took my temperature just to see what it was normally. A cool 97.7. When I'm at 98.6 I probably have a low grade fever. Woohoo! I love being abnormal. Not Abby Normal, abnormal. Some of you will get that. I worry about the ones who don't. Anyhoo, I'm taking my temperature now with my neato Vicks digital thermometer. 99.2. Getting better! posted by Beth 2:01 AM . . .
