Cayucos vs. Great White shark

A great white shark could be circling in Central Coast waters.

Shark warnings have been posted along beaches in Cayucos for five days straight.
A shark was spotted Sunday at the Cayucos pier and again Wednesday near Old Creek.
State parks ranger Ray Smith says it's likely the same shark.

Surfers we talked to say they won't switch hobbies, even for a great white.

"There's like a 16 foot shark but there are sharks all year long. People see them and we surf. They're always around, they're just not interested in us," said surfer Johnee Gange.
Several shark sightings were confirmed near Avila Beach and Pismo Beach in July.
In August 2003, Nipomo resident Deborah Franzman was killed by a great white off of Avila Beach.

There's a good reason why shark warning signs routinely stay in place at least five days after a great white sighting.

Marine biologists say great whites are territorial. They stay in one location until the food supply diminishes or vanishes, then move on to new hunting grounds.

Studies show most attacks happen in the morning within two hours after sunrise because it is difficult at that time to see a shark lying in wait at the bottom.

Great white sharks prefer prey with high contents of energy rich fat-like seals.

Attacks on humans are thought to be rare, but sometimes deadly mistakes.