Two shark sightings were reported off the coast of La Jolla Shores on Sunday, Aug.15, said lifeguard Lt. Andy Lerum. The first sighting was reported at 9:30 a.m. by a kayaker, who said he saw “a large gray and white shark about 15 or 16 feet long,” about two miles offshore, Lerum said. The kayaker said the shark’s tail fin bumped into his kayak.

“He notified lifeguards right away, but that didn’t cause great concern for people swimming on the beach because it was so far out,” Lerum said. “It’s a regular occurrence for sharks to be in San Diego waters, but it’s rare for people to see them.”

Later that day, around 5:30 p.m., three different lifeguards observed a large shark about 50 yards off La Jolla Shores, Lerum said.

“They had a pretty clear view of it with high-powered binoculars,” he said.

Lerum said the second sighting did cause concern for public safety because of its proximity to the shore.

“We warned the public, but it was a voluntary evacuation and the water was not closed because no behavior was observed that would suggest the shark was feeding or acting unusual,” he said.

No additional sightings have been confirmed since Sunday evening, Lerum said.

“A lot of dolphins in the area have been mistaken for sharks,” he said. “A few people reported to the media that they saw sharks, but once lifeguards interviewed them it was confirmed they were dolphins.”

Lerum said the warning period lasts for 24 hours, but that the lifeguards continue to educate the public about the sightings.

“It’s just more of an information exchange,” he said.