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# Shark! Three predators spotted off area beaches
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/shark-three-predators-spotted-off-area-beaches/
- Published: 2004-04-24T15:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-23T04:14:53.000Z
- Author: Guest Author
- Tags: Environment, Santa Monica, #archive-import

*Sharks linger beneath surface*

*By Daily Press staff*

WILL ROGERS STATE BEACH — Officials spotted two leopard sharks and a small great white or mako shark off of local beaches on Friday.

The two leopard sharks were first seen by a police helicopter between 10:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. off of Will Rogers State Beach. The great white or mako shark was spotted about an hour later up towards Topanga State Beach, said Garth Canning, a spokesman for the Los Angeles County lifeguards.

Lifeguards immediately dispatched the Baywatch boat, which was able to identify the two leopard sharks, both measuring about three feet in length. Canning said the 4 and 1/2 foot great white or mako shark, however, was harder to identify.

“It was difficult to tell, because the water was murky, but it was probably mako or great white,” Canning said. “That size of either animal is, again, not a danger to people, as long as people aren’t aggravating it.

“We have no beach closures, we have no advisories,” he added. “This is an ordinary occurrence. Animals like this are in the area all year-round. It’s only because the sun is out, there’s more people around and the water has cleared up a little that the people can see them. Otherwise, this is an everyday occurrence.”

There has never been a shark attack in Santa Monica Bay and Canning added that beachgoers are far more likely to die in a car accident or be struck by lightning than they are likely to be attacked by a shark.

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on April 24, 2004.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/042404.pdf?ref=smdp.com)