2-mile stretch of Sunset Beach in Orange County closed due to shark activity

HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. (KABC) -- A two-mile stretch of the shore and water in Huntington Beach is closed due to shark activity in the area.

City officials say the beach was shut down Sunday afternoon after a young whale washed up on the sand with shark bites near Tower 22 in the Sunset Beach area.

Beachgoers reported seeing splashing and "aggressive shark activity" before the whale washed ashore.

The beach is off limits for a mile in both directions until at least Tuesday afternoon.

Trevor McDonald, a marine safety battalion chief for the Huntington Beach Fire Department, said it's not confirmed the bites were from a shark.

However, a credible witness did see a shark before the whale washed ashore.

McDonald said the possibility of shark activity forced lifeguards to take action.

"We have a beach closure in place due to dangerous shark activity, aggressive shark behavior and we're continuing to monitor," he said. "We haven't found any other shark sightings."

Lifeguards are patrolling the coastline, letting people know about the water closure.

A team with the Pacific Marine Center responded to help the distressed whale.

McDonald said this type of whale does not usually swim close to shore. Unfortunately, due to its injuries, he said the whale was euthanized.

McDonald said the beach will remain closed through Monday and if there are no more shark sightings the beach will reopen on Tuesday after 2 p.m.