Coast Guard suspends search for missing swimmer following apparent shark attack near Point Reyes

Other agencies, including the Marin County Sheriff’s Office and National Park Service, were continuing the search Monday

REYES POINT — The US Coast Guard suspended its search for a swimmer believed to have been attacked by a shark near Point Reyes on Monday, but other local agencies said they would continue to look.

At 8 a.m. Monday, a Coast Guard spokesperson confirmed that the search had been halted. The search was prompted by reports that a swimmer was apparently attacked by a shark and dragged into the water near Wildcat Beach around 10:40 a.m. Sunday.

The Coast Guard was assisted in its search by the Marin County Sheriff’s Office, the Marin County Fire Department, and the National Park Service. Christine Beekman, public information officer at Point Reyes National Seashore, told the Marin Independent Journal on Monday morning that the search for the missing swimmer was being conducted by eight people from the Sheriff’s Office, the fire department, and the National Park Service.

According to Beekman, the missing swimmer is a 52-year-old man.

“This is, as all California waters are, shark habitat,” Beekman stated. “I’m hesitant to speculate until we have confirmation.” Shark attacks are extremely rare in the area.”

According to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, there have been 210 shark attacks and incidents off the California coast since 1950, with 15 of them resulting in fatalities. On August 22, a shark was spotted at Bean Hollow State Beach in San Mateo County. The person was kayaking and was not injured.