Surfer attacked by shark along Mendocino County coast, avoids major injuries

"A surfer avoided major injuries Tuesday morning after being attacked by a shark along the Mendocino County coast, officials said. The attack was reported about 8:45 a.m. near the town of Gualala, about 50 miles north of Bodega Bay, according to dispatchers with the CalFire Howard Forest Dispatch Center. The encounter occurred near the mouth of the Gualala River and the surfer did not need to be taken to a hospital, dispatchers said."

"Peter Tira, an information officer with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, said wildlife officers are collecting DNA samples for analysis that will help identify the shark species involved in Tuesday's attack. He previously told The Press Democrat waters along the Northern California coast are occupied by at least a dozen resident and visiting shark species. They include the common and year-round resident leopard shark and the seasonal white shark."

"Data from his office shows 229 documented encounters involving sharks and people along the California coast since 1950. The data pertains to sharks that physically touched swimmers, boards or kayaks. Not included are shark sightings or incidents involving hooked sharks. Sixteen of the 229 incidents were reported along the Sonoma County coast and there were 18 along the Marin County coast. Great White sharks were involved in 199 of the incidents, according to the data."

A surfer avoided major injuries after a shark attack Tuesday morning near Gualala on the Mendocino County coast. The incident occurred about 8:45 a.m. near the mouth of the Gualala River and did not require hospitalization. A passerby on the beach notified dispatchers, and fire officials later interviewed the surfer. Wildlife officers are collecting DNA samples to identify the shark species involved. Northern California waters host at least a dozen resident and visiting shark species, including leopard sharks year-round and seasonal white sharks. State data shows 229 documented physical encounters with sharks along the California coast since 1950.

Read at The Mercury News