In Newport Beach, swimming in the ocean was shut down for hours recently after a surfer saw a shark swimming beneath her, circling just under her feet.
In Hermosa Beach, an angler hooked a juvenile great white and went viral on video trying to help the creature back into the ocean.
Cue the “Jaws” soundtrack and prepare yourself — experts say it’s going to be a “sharky summer.”
Chris Lowe, director of the Shark Lab at Cal State Long Beach, said his team has been watching the waters closely for more shark activity, knowing warmer-than-normal ocean temperatures and a looming El Niño could mean a repeat of conditions a decade ago that brought shark populations close to shore.
Several tagged sharks have been detected off Huntington Beach and Newport Beach since February, which is far earlier than normal.
“There is a strong indication we will have a repeat,” Lowe said.
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