Suspected shark attack at Lovers Point occurred in time and place where large sharks come to feed

"It's peak bulking-up season for white sharks in Monterey Bay, and over the past week, two animals previously tagged by scientists passed through the waters near Lovers Point - the same area where swimmer Erica Fox vanished Sunday, after witnesses reported seeing a shark nearby, experts said. Fox, the 55-year-old co-founder of recreational swim group Kelp Krawlers, was far ahead of more than a dozen swimmers returning to Lovers Point beach in Pacific Grove early Sunday afternoon, but never came ashore."

"At around 12:15 p.m. Sunday, a driver at a stop sign on his way to work called 911 to report seeing a shark burst out of the water about 100 yards off Lovers Point with what he believed to be a human protruding from its mouth, U.S. Coast Guard petty officer Charlie Valor said Tuesday. The man said the shark re-entered the water and did not resurface, Valor added."

White sharks migrate from offshore to coastal waters in October to bulk up on seals and sea lions and typically remain through January. The rocky shoreline near Lovers Point attracts sea lions and seals, drawing white sharks to hunt and patrol the area. Two previously tagged white sharks passed near Lovers Point over the past week. Swimmer Erica Fox, 55, disappeared Sunday after swimming ahead of her group and not returning. A driver called 911 reporting a shark breach about 100 yards off Lovers Point with what was believed to be a human in its mouth. No remains or swim gear have been recovered. An offshore buoy recorded five tagged sharks this month.

Read at The Mercury News