GWS Warning

A sea lion washed up on the PSL shore with shark bites. Shark estimated to be 15 feet. I'm a new user and don't know how to link, but see the San Luis Obispo Tribune web site for the story. Take care.

Just "high light" the web address (starting with http://.....) and hit "Ctrl c" (press both keyboards as the same time) to copy then when you're writing your post here hit "Ctrl v" (press both keyboards as the same time) to paste the link like I did below:

http://www.sanluisobispo.com/news/local/breaking_news/story/798604.html

This somewhat weird characteristics of the GWS, usually when a shark bit on something and bled they will become more aggressive and tend to kill/eat whatever that bloods coming from, could it be just mis-information since nobody witness the attack nor seeing the GWS itself, theres a lot aspects that seal can get wounded reefs, fishing line, fought with other seals, it makes me sick when authorities assumed it GWS unless further study was made I read the article and it says "The sea lion was a large adult and the bite wound was consistent with that of a 15-foot shark, according to a Cal Fire press release. No one has seen the shark" Just my 2 cents

Sailfish,

I am running Vista with AVG (free) virus protection. For some reason I cannot highlight and copy a link.

Darius,

I have fished Avila/PSL several times recently, and have never seen so many sea lions mostly younger 40-50 pounds. They are chasing smelt and it is really an experience to paddle through a sea lion "scool" of 100 animals jumping after bait. One jumped into my bow (the outside), and I have to say I was happy with my Srambler which did not waiver. Talked to a life guard last week. He said the last time Avila/PSL was this active was the year the swimmer was killed by a GWS (2002 or 3). He said that year the sharks showed up early (according to him they usually show up the middle of August) and he expects them to also show up early this year.

This somewhat weird characteristics of the GWS, usually when a shark bit on something and bled they will become more aggressive and tend to kill/eat whatever that bloods coming from, could it be just mis-information since nobody witness the attack nor seeing the GWS itself, theres a lot aspects that seal can get wounded reefs, fishing line, fought with other seals, it makes me sick when authorities assumed it GWS unless further study was made I read the article and it says "The sea lion was a large adult and the bite wound was consistent with that of a 15-foot shark, according to a Cal Fire press release. No one has seen the shark" Just my 2 cents

Yeah, you need to take these things with some consideration.

Lots of times the prey item (in this case a sea lion) can escape even though they are mortally wounded. White sharks, though they have a fearsome reputation, are genrally skittish critters. If, during the initial attack, they get spooked because a claw or toot came close the their eye, whatever, they will abandon the prey item rather than feed. The whole "feeding frenzy" doesn't happen often with white sharks.

Consider the area as well. SLO-town has had its share of shark incidents, including the media hyped fatality a few years ago at Avila.
Santa Barbara area also has a warning out now, after two dead seals were found, with wounds similar to thoe one in San Luis Obispo.
They are out there.

I really like one of the article comments. Too funny! Pasted below:

Ever since I was young I was told before going into the ocean, test to see if there are sharks. The best way to test for sharks is by putting a finger into the water and then tasting it. If the water tastes salty, there are sharks in it.

I really like one of the article comments. Too funny! Pasted below:

Ever since I was young I was told before going into the ocean, test to see if there are sharks. The best way to test for sharks is by putting a finger into the water and then tasting it. If the water tastes salty, there are sharks in it.

 

That's about right!

That's awesome.

WOOOOOOHOOOOOOO Hooray for sharks!!!

Thats funny Sin.... An really quite true..

Seems like sometimes people are so amazed and deny the fact that there are sharks present, we live in shark territory, the ocean is there home, its where they are. Not to say i wouldnt be scared crapless if one was swimming circles around me, im just saying its their home, they are there, and they do eat seals.

Just gotta accept it. It's their ocean and they are the apex predator. My love for the ocean & love of kayafishing far more out weighs my fear of a hungry gws. I'm still going to keep on fishing no matter how many gws are in the water. If I'm on the water fishing and the landlord tells me it's my time to expire then so be it.

Just gotta accept it. It's their ocean and they are the apex predator. My love for the ocean & love of kayafishing far more out weighs my fear of a hungry gws. I'm still going to keep on fishing no matter how many gws are in the water. If I'm on the water fishing and the landlord tells me it's my time to expire then so be it.

Right on Ariel  But if the landlord tells me it's my time to expire, I'll give it HELL before I go 

Just gotta accept it. It's their ocean and they are the apex predator. My love for the ocean & love of kayafishing far more out weighs my fear of a hungry gws. I'm still going to keep on fishing no matter how many gws are in the water. If I'm on the water fishing and the landlord tells me it's my time to expire then so be it.

yup, no sense in worrying about it....

I seem to recall that they typically show up around the Farallones around Sept/Oct...  snacking along the way...

First of all thanks for the warning, I am not actually denying the fact that there are GWS, its actually a factor when I was trying to get a kayak, "What if" thing, but after experiencing the mere fact of getting attack by a shark is almost the same chance getting hit by a car.. that made me do it, but it never escape my mind the when we go out there we are just ocean spacer and definitely will get visit by the landlord