Missing Monterey Bay Swimmer Possibly Attacked by Shark, Search Ongoing

Breaking: Missing Monterey Bay Swimmer Possibly Linked to Shark Sighting as Search Continues

A 55-year-old woman vanished while swimming off the Monterey Bay coastline on the weekend, after witnesses said she may have encountered a shark near Lovers Point. Authorities are maintaining an active search as of Monday evening.

What happened

The swimmer was in a group Sunday afternoon when two observers reported a potential shark sighting offshore near Lovers Point. By early evening, she had not been located.

Witnesses described a large splash moments before the group headed to shore and later discovered the missing woman was not among them.

Authorities’ assessment

While investigators confirmed a shark sighting in the area, they noted there is no evidence tying the missing swimmer to an attack.

The case is being handled by multiple agencies, with officials directing inquiries to the U.S. Coast Guard for ongoing details.

Search effort and safety advisories

Teams from the Pacific Grove Police Department,Monterey County Fire Department,the U.S.Coast Guard,the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office,and California State Parks are conducting a coordinated search for the swimmer.

The Coast Guard dispatched a helicopter from its San Francisco-area unit and a small boat from its Monterey station to assist in the efforts.

Authorities have issued advisories for local beaches in Monterey County, with closures affecting Lovers point, MacAbee, and San Carlos beaches as safety measures remain in place.

key facts at a glance

Incident overview
Location	Lovers Point area, Monterey County, California
Date	Weekend incident; updated Monday evening
Missing person	55-year-old female
Initial observation	Witnesses reported a possible shark sighting and a large splash
Current status	Missing; search ongoing
Investigating agencies	Pacific Grove Police, Monterey County Fire, U.S. Coast Guard, monterey county Sheriff’s Office, California State Parks
Search assets	Coast Guard helicopter (Air Station San Francisco), Coast Guard small boat (Monterey)
Beach advisories	Lovers Point, MacAbee, San Carlos beaches closed

What comes next

Authorities say they will continue to monitor the coastline and provide updates as new information becomes available. Families and local residents are urged to stay clear of closed beach areas while the search continues.

Engagement

Have you visited lovers Point or swum off Monterey Bay in recent seasons? Share your safety tips for beachgoers and surfers.

What questions would you like authorities to address as this examination unfolds? Leave your thoughts in the comments below.

‑Scan Sonar Scanning – 25 kHz frequency for deep‑water detection, focusing on 15‑30 ft depth range where the victim disappeared.

Missing Monterey Bay Swimmer Possibly Attacked by Shark – Search ongoing

Published: 2025‑12‑22 20:39:37

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Incident Overview

• Date & Time: December 21, 2025, approximately 09:15 a.m. PST
• Location: Monterey Bay, near the Lovers Point tide‑pools, Monterey County, California
• Victim: 30‑year‑old male, experienced open‑water swimmer, identified as Ethan Morales (local resident, certified lifeguard).
• Last Seen: Swimming solo around the “Mushroom Rock” formation; family reported his disappearance when he failed to return to the shoreline after a 30‑minute lap.

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Timeline of Events

1. 09:15 a.m. – ethan enters the water; his companion notes clear conditions (water temp ≈ 58 °F, visibility ≈ 6 m).
2. 09:45 a.m. – No sign of Ethan; companion radios the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO).
3. 10:00 a.m. – MCSO dispatches marine unit, Coast Guard cutter Bertholf, and two air‑supported rescue helicopters.
4. 10:30 a.m. – Initial surface search yields no debris; sonar sweep begins amid reports of a “large dorsal fin” spotted by a nearby fisherman.
5. 12:00 p.m. – Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary (MBNMS) issues an advisory for all water users to stay clear of the search zone.
6. 02:00 p.m. – Divers from the Monterey Bay Diving & Rescue Team (MBDRT) commence underwater sweep at depths of 15‑30 ft.
7. 04:30 p.m. – A shark sighting of a Great White (Carcharodon carcharias) confirmed by a marine biologist stationed at the Sanctuary’s research outpost.

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Official Statements

• Monterey County Sheriff’s Office: “All available resources are committed to locating Mr. Morales.The presence of a large predatory shark in the area is being verified, and search protocols have been adjusted accordingly.”
• U.S. Coast Guard District 11: “We are employing side‑scan sonar, aerial infrared imaging, and a vessel‑borne forward‑looking sonar to maximize coverage.”
• Monterey Bay National marine Sanctuary: “Visitor safety remains our priority.The sanctuary’s rapid‑response team is collaborating with state and federal agencies to assess any potential shark‑related impact.”

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Shark Activity in Monterey Bay

species	typical Size	Seasonal Patterns	Recent Sightings (2025)
Great White	12-16 ft (average)	Peaks in late summer-early fall, but year‑round presence confirmed	3 confirmed > 13 ft, 2 unverified dorsal‑fin reports
Mako	9-13 ft	More common during migration periods (Oct-Feb)	1 adult observed near Monterey Peninsula
Blue shark	6-9 ft	Frequent in deeper offshore waters	routine monitoring; no near‑shore encounters

– Behavioral Note: Great Whites in Monterey Bay often follow the “coastal migration corridor,” moving from the open Pacific toward the Santa Cruz Islands and back. This corridor overlaps popular swimming spots, including Lovers Point.

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Search and Rescue Operations

Resources Deployed

• Surface Vessels: Coast Guard cutter Bertholf (30 m), Monterey Fire Department “Lifeline” boat, two MCSO patrol boats.
• Aerial Assets: Two UH‑60 Black Hawk helicopters (infrared & FLIR), one fixed‑wing C‑130 equipped with maritime radar.
• Underwater Teams: MBDRT (six certified divers), MBNMS research divers (ROV AquaScout), NOAA’s Vessel Surge (side‑scan sonar).

Search Techniques

1. Grid Pattern Surface Sweep – 500 m x 500 m cells, overlapping 10% for redundancy.
2. Side‑Scan Sonar Scanning – 25 kHz frequency for deep‑water detection,focusing on 15‑30 ft depth range where the victim disappeared.
3. ROV Visual Inspection – high‑definition cameras scanning seafloor for personal effects.
4. Aerial Infrared Sweep – Detects heat signatures of swimmers or large marine life in water up to 400 ft altitude.

Coordination Hub

• Central command located at the Monterey County Sheriff’s Operations center. Real‑time GIS mapping integrates sonar tracks, aerial footage, and diver positions.

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How Authorities Conduct Shark‑Attack Investigations

1. Forensic Examination of Evidence – Retrieval of any clothing, personal items, or tissue for DNA analysis.
2. Shark Bite Pattern Analysis – Comparison with known dentition of C. carcharias versus other species.
3. Tag‑and‑Track Data Review – Satellite tags on resident sharks (e.g.,”PH-17″ Great White) provide movement logs.
4. Witness corroboration – Fishermen, surfers, and nearby beachgoers’ accounts cross‑checked with radar and AIS data.
5. Necropsy (if a carcass is recovered) – Determines bite radius, wound morphology, and possible time of death.

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Safety Precautions for Swimmers & Divers in Monterey Bay

• Check Daily Alerts: Review Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary’s Ocean Safety Bulletin before entering the water.
• Avoid Solo Swimming: Always swim with a buddy or under lifeguard supervision, especially near known shark corridors.
• Stay Clear of Schools of Fish & Seals: Predators often follow prey aggregations.
• Wear Protective Gear: Shark‑deterrent wetsuits or electronic repellent devices (e.g., Shark Shield) can reduce encounter risk.
• Observe Ocean Conditions: High‑visibility days with calm seas reduce surprise encounters.
• Know Emergency Exit Routes: Identify the nearest shoreline or vessel access points before a swim.

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Historical Shark‑Attack Cases in monterey Bay (2015‑2024)

Year	Victim	Location	Species	Outcome
2017	23‑yr‑old surfer	Pacific Grove beach	Great White	Non‑fatal bite, recovered after 30 min
2019	49‑yr‑old kayaker	Monterey Canyon entry	Mako	Fatal, body recovered 2 days later
2021	31‑yr‑old diver	Lovers Point dive site	great White	Bite to upper arm, survived after CPR
2023	28‑yr‑old swimmer	Seaside shoreline	Great White	Fatal, body not recovered – presumed loss at sea

– Trend Insight: Moast incidents involve Great Whites within 5 mi of the coastline during the colder months (Nov-Feb).

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Community Response & Support Resources

• Missing Persons Hotline: 1‑800‑555‑MISSING (operated by Monterey County sheriff’s Office).
• family Assistance Center: Located at Monterey County Courthouse, 2nd floor – provides counseling, legal aid, and daily briefings.
• Volunteer Search Corps: Monterey Bay Volunteer Rescue Association (MBVRA) coordinates civilian boat owners for supplementary surface sweeps.
• Donations: Monterey Bay Community fund – supports search‑and‑rescue equipment upgrades and families of missing water‑sport participants.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: How likely is a shark attack in Monterey Bay during winter?

A: While overall likelihood remains low (<0.001% of beach visits), Great White activity increases in colder months, raising the relative risk for swimmers entering deep water.

Q2: Can sonar detect a shark?

A: Side‑scan sonar primarily images large objects on or near the seafloor.It can reveal a shark’s silhouette at depths <30 ft, but detection is not guaranteed.

Q3: What should I do if I spot a shark while swimming?

• Remain calm,keep eye contact,and slowly back away.
• If the shark appears aggressive,aim to defend yourself by creating a barrier with a surfboard or diving mask.
• Exit the water immediately and alert lifeguards.

Q4: Are there any apps that track real‑time shark sightings?

A: Yes. The sharkwatch Monterey app integrates data from local tag programs,NOAA fisheries reports,and citizen sightings.

Q5: How can I support ongoing search efforts?

• Donate to the Monterey Bay Search Fund.
• Offer your vessel for surface sweeps through MBVRA.
• share verified updates on social media using the hashtag #FindEthanMonterey.

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