Newport warns beachgoers after shark is seen off Balboa Pier

A shark sighting Thursday at the Balboa Pier prompted Newport Beach lifeguards to post signs warning beachgoers about the animal, according to authorities.

A group of fishermen saw the shark near the pier and reported it to lifeguards around 12:55 p.m., lifeguard Battalion Chief Mike Halphide said.

Lifeguards sent a photo the fishermen took to a marine biologist and confirmed that what they saw was a 6- to 7-foot white shark, Halphide said.

Officials did not close the beach, as the shark didn’t show any aggressive behavior and hasn’t been seen since, Halphide said.

However, lifeguards put warning signs on about a mile and a half of beach between L and 10th streets.

Lifeguards said they were using a rescue boat and helicopter to look for the shark Friday morning.

They removed the warning signs in the afternoon after not seeing anything, authorities said.