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Great White Shark Spotted Off Stinson Beach, Prompting 5-Day Closure

STINSON BEACH (CBS) – A great white shark was spotted off the Stinson Beach Monday afternoon, prompting a ban on swimming and surfing for at least the next several days.

The Golden Gate National Recreation Area made the announcement via twitter on Tuesday, and the Chief of the Stinson Beach Fire Department confirmed to the great white sighting to KCBS Radio.

Recreation area officials posted signs advising of the surfing and swimming ban after the shark estimated at between 10 to 15 feet long, was spotted roughly 300 yards off the beach, at around 1:40 p.m.

Over the next five hours, lifeguards using telescopes, binoculars and patrol trucks saw what was described to KCBS as "consistent shark activity" off the beach.

The ban will last for five days from the last shark sighting; if no other shark is sighted, the ban should end this weekend.

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